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DOCTRINE, 


CONSTITUTION  AND  DISCIPLINE, 


OF   THE 


UNITED  BRETHEEN  IN  CHRIST. 


DAZTON,  O., 

ONITED    BRETBEEN   PUINTINQ    ESTABLISHMENT 


1865. 


CONTENTS. 


PA  as 

Ardent  Spirits 89 

Bishdps— Election  and  duties  of 51- 

Building  of  Meeting-housi'S lOJ 

Bi  -ial  of  the  Dead \Zr> 

Bf-^mdaries  of  Conferences 13-1 

Alleghany 137 

Auglaize 14) 

Canada 153 

California 15s' 

Dos  Moines,  East lo£ 

Des  Moines,  West 13S 

Erie 137 

Fox  River IM 

Illinois H9 

Illinois,  Central U9 

Indiana 14( 

Iowa 151 

Iowa,  North '. 152 

Kansas 15J 

Michigan 142 

Michigan,    North 144 

Missouri l.')4 

Miami 143 

Minnesota ." 15J 

Muskingum 139 

Oregon 15J 

Ohio,  German 154 

Pennsylvania 136 

Parkersburg 147 

Pennsylvania,  East 135 

Rock  River 150 

Scioto 13I> 

St.  Joseph 1+J 

Sandusky 140 

Virginia 134 

"Wabash,  Upper 148 

Wabash,  Lower 147 

"White   River 145 

Western  Reserve 138 

Wisconsin 150 

(iii) 


IV  CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Confession  of  Faith 14 

Constitution 17 

Constitution  of  Missionary  Societj' 113 

Conference,  General 38 

"  Annual 42 

"  Quarterly 68 

Course  of  Reading ...; 127 

"  "        German! 131 

Classes 28 

Charters 132 

Certificates 133 

Doctrinal  Publications 88 

Exhorters 30 

Elders— Election  of 69 

"        Duties  of 66 

"        Ordination  of 62 

"       Presiding 67 

Itinerancy— Organization  of 46 

Members— Reception  of 21 

Trial  of 75 

Marriage  Ceremony 123 

Oriitrin  of  the  Church 6 

Oflicjal  Meetings 73 

Oaths 88 

Preachers— Reception  of 32 

Duties  of 35 

"  Itinerant— Duties  of 52 

"  Immoral  Conduct  of 80 

Printing  Establishment .119 

Salaries  83 

Sabbath-Schools 93 

Secret  Societies 85 

Slavery 86 

Singing , '. 112 

Cnion— Necessity  of 90 

Visiting a 91 

«rar 87 


ORiaiisr 

OP    THE 

UNITED  BRJ^THREN  IN  CHRIST 


.In  the  eighteenth  century  it  pleased 
the  Lord  our  God  to  awaken  persons 
in  different  parts  of  the  world,  who 
should  raise  up  the  Christian  religioD 
from  its  fallen  stat«,  and  preach  the 
gospel  of  Christ  crucified  in  its  purity. 

About  the  middle  of  the  said  cen- 
tury, the  Lord,  in  mercy,  remembered 
the  Germans  in  America,  who,  living 
scattered  in  this  extensive  country,  had 
but  seldom  an  opportunity  to  hear  the 
gospel  of  a  crucified  Savior  preached 
to  them  in  their  native  language. 

Among  others,  he  raised  up  William 
Otterbein  and  Martin  Boehm,  in  the 

5 


6  UNITED    BRETHREN 

etate  of  Pennsylvania,  and  George  A  . 
Geeting  in  the  state  of  Maryland — 
armed  them  with  spirit,  grace,  and 
strength,  to  labor  in  his  neglected  vine- 
yard, and  to  call,  among  the  Germans  in 
America,  sinners  to  repentance.  These 
men  obeyed  the  call  of  their  Lord  and 
Master.  Their  labors  were  blest,  and 
they  established  in  many  places  excel- 
lent societies,  and  led  many  precious 
souls  to  Jesus  Christ.  Their  sphere  of 
action  spread  more  and  more,  so  that 
they  found  it  necessary  to  look  about  for 
more  fellow-laborers  to  engage  in  the 
vineyard  of  the  Lord,  for  the  harvest 
was  great  and  the  laborers  but  few. 
The  Lord  called  others,  who  were  will- 
ing to  devote  their  strength  to  his  serv- 
ice; such,  then,  were  accepted  by  one 
or  other  of  the  preachers  as  fellow-la- 
borers. .., 
The  number  of  members  in  the  So- 
ciety in  different  parts  of  the  country, 


DISCIPLINE.  7 

continued  toincre^ase  from  time  to  time; 
and  the  gracious  vrork  of  reformation 
spread  through  th'^  states  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, Maryland  and  Virginia.  Several 
great  meetings  were  appointed  and  held 
annually;  when  on  such  occasions. Ot- 
TERBEIN  would  hold  particular  conver- 
sations with  the  preachers  then  present, 
represent  to  them  the  importance  of  the 
ministry,  and  the  necessity  of  their  ut- 
most endeavors  to  save  souls.  At  one 
of  these  meetings,  it  was  resolved  to 
hold  a  conference  with  all  the  preach- 
ers, in  order  to  take  into  consideration 
how,  and  in  what  manner,  they  might 
be  most  useful. 

The  first  Conference  was  held  in  the 
City   of  Baltimore,   Maryland,  in    the 
year  of  our  Lord,  1789.     The  follow- 
ing preachers  were  present,  viz : 
Wm.  Otterbein,  Adam  Lehman, 

Martin  Boehm,  John  Ernst, 

Geo.  a.  Geetino,        Henry  Weidnbe, 
Christian  Newcomer. 


8  UNITED   BRETHREN 

The  second  conference  was  held  in 
Paradise  township,  York  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, at  the  house  of  Bro.  Spang- 
LER,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1791. 
The  following  preachers  were  present, 
m: 

Wm.  Otterbein,         John  Ebnst, 
Martin  Boehm,  J.  G.  Pfrimmer, 

Geo.  a.  Geeting,       Johx  Neidiq, 
Ch'n.  Jvewcomee,      Benedict  Sandeks^ 
Adam  Lehman. 
After  mature  deliberation  how  thf.jr 
might  labor  most  usefully  in  the  vine- 
yard of  the  Lord,  they  again  appointed 
such  as  fellow-laborers  whom  they  had 
cause  to  believe  had  experienced  true 
religion  in  their  souls. 

In  the  meantime,  the  number  of 
members  continued  to  increase,  and  the 
preachers  were  obliged  to  appoint  an 
annual  conference,  in  order  to  unite 
themselves  more  closely,  and  to  labor 
more  successfully  in  the  vineyard  of 
the  Lord;  for  some  had  been  Presby- 


DISCIPLINE.  9 

terians  or  German  Reformed;  Some 
Lutherans,  and  others  Mennonites. 
They  accordingly  appointed  a  confer- 
ence to  be  held  on  the  25th  of  Septem- 
ber, 1800,  in  Frederick  county,  Mary- 
land, at  the  house  of  Bru.  Frederick 
Kemp.  The  following  preachers  were 
present,  viz : 

Wm.  Otterbein,  Christian  Krum, 

Martin  Boehm,  Henry  Krum,  ; 

Geo.  a.  Geetinq,        John  Hershet, 
Ch'n  Newcomer,         Jacob  Geisingeb, 
Adam  Lehman,  Henry  Boehm, 

Abraham  Tracksel,   Diet'k  Aurand, 
J.  G.  Pfrimmer. 

There  they  united  themselves  into  a 
society  which  bears  the  name,  "  United 
Brethren  in  Christ,"  and  elected 
Wm.  Otterbein  and  Martin  Boehm, 
as  superintendents  or  bishops,  and 
agreed  that  each  of  them  should  be  at 
liberty  as  to  the  mode  and  manner  of 
baptism,  to  perform  it  according  to  his 
own  convictions.  I 


_  iO  UNITED    BRETHREN 

From  this  time,  the  society  increas- 
ing still  more  and  more,  preachers  were 
appointed  to  travel  regularly,  inasmuch 
as  the  number  of  preaching  places 
could  not  otherwise  be  attended  to ; 
and  the  work  spread  itself  into  the 
states  of  Ohio  and  Kentucky.  It  then 
became  necessary  to  appoint  a  confer- 
ence in  the  state  of  Ohio,  because  it 
was  conceived  too  laborious  for  the 
preachers  who  labored  in  those  states 
to  travel  annually  such  a  great  distance 
to  conference. 

In  the  meantime,  brothers  Boehm 
and  Geeting  died,  and  brother  Otter- 
BEIN  desired  that  another  bishop  should 
be  elected  (because  infirmity  and  old 
age  would  not  permit  him  to  superin- 
tend any  longer),  who  should  take 
charge  of  the  society,  and  preserve  dis- 
cipline and  order.  It  was  resolved  at  a 
former  conference,  that  whenever  one 
^     of  the  bishops  died  another  should  bo 


DISCIPLINE.  11 

elected  in  his  place :  accordingly  brother 
Christian  Newcomer  was  elected 
Bishop,  to  take  charge  of,  and  superin- 
tend the  concerns  of  the  society. 

The  want  of  a  Discipline  in  the  So- 
ciety had  long  been  deeply  felt,  and 
partial  attempts  having  been  made  at 
diflFerent  times,  it  was  resolved  at  the 
conference  held  in  the  state  of  Ohio, 
that  a  general  conference  should  be 
beld  in  order  to  accomplish  the  same, 
in  a  manner  not  derogatory  to  the  Word 
of  God.  The  members  of  this  confer- 
ence were  to  be  elected  from  among  the 
preachers  in  the  different  parts  of  the 
country,  by  a  vote  of  the  Society  in 
general.  The  following  brethren  were 
duly  elected,  viz  : 

Ch'n  Newcomer,        Daniel  Troyer, 
Abr'm  Heistand,        Geo.  Benedum, 
Andrew  Zeller,         Abr'm  Tracksel, 
Christian  Berger,      Henry  G.  Spayth, 
Abraham  Myer,         I.  Nighswanger, 
John  Schneider,        Christian  Krum, 
Henry  Kumler,          Jacob  Bowlus. 


12  UNITED   B'RETHREN 

The  conference  convened  on  the  6th 
of  June,  1815,  near  Mount  Pleasant, 
Westmoreland  county,  Pennsylvania. 
After  mature  deliberation,  they  pre- 
sented to  their  brethren  a  discipline, 
containing  the  doctrine  and  rules  of  the 
Church,  desiring  that  they,  together 
with  the  Word  of  Grod,  should  be  strict- 
ly observed. 

God  is  a  God  of  order,  but  where 
there  is  no  order  nor  church  dis<  ipline, 
the  spirit  of  love  and  charity  will  be 
lost. 

Therefore,  brethren,  we  beseech  you 
to  follow  the  example  of  our  Lord ;  as 
it  is  written,  "Be  kindly  affectioned 
*one  to  another,  with  brotherly  love;  in 
honor  preferring  one  another.  Let  the 
mind  be  in  you  which  was  in  Christ, 
who  took  upon  him  the  form  of  a  serv- 
ant, humbled  himself,  and  became 
obedient  unto  death,  even  the  death  of 
the  cross,"  that  by  his  grace  we  ma) 


DISCIPLINE.  13 

eubmit  ourselves  one  to  amother  in  the 
fear  of  God.  He  who  will  not  S'abmit. 
is  in  want  of  humble  love.  Jesus  said, 
"  Whosoever  will  be  chief  among  you, 
let  him  be  your  servant.  By  thi^  shall 
all  men  know  that  ye  are  my  disciples, 
if  ye  have  love  one  to  another;  and 
whoso  loveth  not  his  brother  abideth  in 
death."  Let  us  walk  in  newness  of 
life,  that  the  prayer  of  our  Lord  may 
be  answered  in  us:  that  we  may  be  one 
in  him,  and  that  he  may  give  us  the 
glory  which  he  gave  to  his  disciples, 
that  we  may  be  one  even  as  He  and  the 
Father  arc  one.  Therefore,  beloved 
brethren,  let  us  strive  to  be  like-mind- 
ed, having  the  same  love,  being  of  one 
accord,  of  one  mind.  Let  no  one 
speak  or  think  evil  of  his  brother,  but 
pray  God  that  he  may  grant  us  His 
Spirit  and  an  earnest  desire  to  lead  a 
truly  devoted  life,  to  the  honor  and 
glory  of  His  holy  name.     Amen. 


14  UNITED   BRETHREN 

SECTION   I. 
CONFESSION  OF  FAITH. 

In  tTie  name  of  God  we  declare  and 
confess  before  all  men,  that  we  believe 
in  the  only  true  God,  the  Father,  the 
Son  ^nd  the  Holy  Ghost,  that  these 
three  are  one:  the  Father  in  the  Son, 
the  Son  in  the  Father,  and  the  Holy 
Ghost  equal  in  essence  or  being  with 
both;  that  this  triune  God  created  the 
heavens  and  the  earth,  and  all  that  in 
them  is,  visible  as  well  as  invisible, 
and  furthermore  sustains,  governs,  pro- 
tects, and  supports  the  same. 

We  believe  in  Jesus  Christ;  that 
He  is  very  God  and  man;  that  he  be- 
came incarnate  by  the  power  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  in  the  virgin  Mary,  and 
was  born  of  her;  that  he  is  the  Savior 
and  Mediator  of  the  whole  human  race, 


DISCIPLINE. 


is 


if  they  with  full  faith  in  him  accept  the 
grace  proffered  in  Jesus;  that  this  Je- 
sus suffered  and  died  on  the  cross  for 
us,  was  buried,  arose  again  on  the  third 
day,  ascended  into  heaven,  and  sitteth 
on  the  right  hand  of  God,  to  intercede 
for  us ;  and  that  he  shall  come  again  at 
the  last  day,  to  judge  the  quick  and 
the  dead. 

We  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost ;  that 
he  is  equal  in  being  with  the  Father 
and  the  Son,  and  that  he  comforts  the 
faithful,  and  guides  them  into  all  truth. 

We  believe  in  a  holy  Christian 
church,  the  communion  of  saints,  the 
resurrection  of  the  body,  and  life  ever- 
lasting. 

We  believe  that  the  Holy  Bible,  Old 
and  New  Testament,  is  the  word  of 
God ;  that  it  contains  the  only  true  wa 
to  our  salvation ;  that  every  true  Chris- 
tian is  bound  to  acknowledge  and  re- 
ceive it  with  the  influence  of  the  Spirit 


16  UNITED    BRETHREN 

of  God,  as  tlie  only  rule  and  guide  j  and 
that  witho.ut  faith  in  Jesua  CKrist,  true 
repentance,  forgiveness  of  sins,  .^nd 
following  after  Christ,  no  one  can  be  a 
true  Christian. 

We  also  believe  that  what  is  con- 
tained in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  to  wit : 
the  fall  in  Adam  and  redemption 
through  Jesus  Christ,  shall  be  preached 
throughout  the  world. 

We  believe  that  the  ordinances,  viz : 
baptism  and  the  remembrance  of  the 
sufferings  and  death  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  are  to  be  in  use,  and  practiced 
by  all  Christian  societies ;  and  that  it  is 
incumbent  on  all  the  children  of  God 
particularly  to  practice  them ;  but  the 
ma^nner  in  which  ought  always  to  be 
left  to  the  judgment  and  understanding 
of  every  individual.  Also  the  example 
of  washing  feet  is  left  to  the  judgment 
of  every  one,  to  practice  or  not:  but  it 
is  not  becoming  for  any  of  our  preacV- 


DISCIPLINE.  17 

ers  or  members  to  traduce  any  of  their 
brethren  whose  judgment  and  under- 
standing in  these  respects  is  different 
from  their  own,  either  in  public  or  pri- 
vate. Whosoever  shall  make  himself 
guilty  in  this  respect,  shall  be  consid- 
ered a  traducer  of  his  brethren,  and 
shall  be  answerable  for  the  same. 

SECTION    II. 

CONSTITUTION. 
We,  the  members  of  the  Church  of 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  in 
the  name  of  God,  do,  for  the  perfecting 
of  the  saints,  for  the  work  of  the  min- 
istry, for  the  edifying  of  the  body  of 
Christ,  as  well  as  to  produce  and  secure 
a  uniform  mode  of  action,  in  faith  and 
practice,  also  to  define  the  powers  and 
the  business  of  quarterly,  annual  and 
general  conferences,  as  recognized  by 
this  Church,  ordain  the  following  arti- 
cles of  Constitution. 
2 


18  UNITED   BRETHREN 

ARTICLE    I. 

Section  1.  All  ecclesiastical  power 
herein  granted,  to  make  or  repeal  any 
rule  of  discipline,  is  vested  in  a  gen- 
eral conference,  whicli  shall  consist  of 
elders,  elected  by  the  members  in  every 
conference  district  throughout  the  Sa- 
ciety  ;  provided,  however,  such  ciders 
shall  have  stood  in  that  capacity  three 
years,  in  the  conference  district  to 
which  they  belong. 

Sec.  2.  G-eneral  conference  is  to  be 
held  every  four  years ;  the  bishops  to 
be  considered  members  and  presiding 
officers. 

Sec.  3.  Each  annual  conference 
shall  place  before  the  Society  the  names 
of  all  the  elders  eligible  to  member- 
ship in  the  general  conference. 

article  II. 
Section  1.    The  general  conference 
shall  define  the  boundaries  of  the  an 
nual  conferences. 


DISCIPLINE.  19 

Sec.  2.  The  general  conference 
ehall,  at  every  session,  elect  bishops 
from  amono;  the  elders  throuj^hout  the 
Church,  who  have  stood  six  years  in 
that  capacity. 

Sec.  3.  The  business  of  each  an- 
nual conference  shall  be  done  strictly 
according  to  Discipline  ;  and  any  an- 
nual conference  acting  contrary  there- 
unto, shall,  by  impeachment,  be  tried 
by  the  General  Conference. 

Sec.  4.  No  rule  or  ordinance  shall 
at  any  time  be  passed,  to  change  or  do 
away  the  Confession  of  Faith  as  it  now 
stands,  nor  to  destroy  the  itinerant 
plan. 

Sec.  5.  There  shall  no  rule  be 
adopted  that  will  infringe  upon  the 
rights  of  any  as  it  relates  to  the  mode 
of  baptism,  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's 
Bupper^  or  the  washing  of  feet. 

Sec.  6.    There  shall  be  no  rule  made 


20  FNITED   BRKTHBEN 

that  will  deprive  local  preacbers  of  their 
votes  in  the  annual  conferences  to 
which  they  severally  belong. 

Sec.  7.  There  shall  be  no  connec- 
tion v^ith  secret  combinations,  nor  shall 
involuntary  servitude  be  tolerated  in 
any  v?ay. 

Sec.  8.  The  right  of  appeal  shall  be 
jnviolate. 


ARTICLE   III. 

The  right,  title,  interest,  and  claim 
of  all  prope-rty,  whether  consisting  in 
lots  of  ground,  meeting-houses,  lega- 
cies, bequests  or  donations  of  any  kind, 
obtained  by  purchase  or  otherwise,  by 
any  person  or  persons,  for  the  use, 
benefit,  and  behoof  of  the  church  of 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  is  here- 
by fully  recognized  and  held  to  be  the 
property  of  the  Church  aforesaid. 


DISCIPLINE.  21 

ARTICLE   IV. 

There  shall  be  no  alteration  of  the 
foregoing  Constitution,  unless  by  re- 
quest of  two-thirds  of  the  whole  So- 
ciety, 

SECTION   III, 

RECEPTION    AND    DUTIES   OP    MEM- 
BERS, 

Qties.  How  shall  members  be  taken 
into  our  Society  ? 

Ans.  When  at  any  meeting  a  per- 
son makes  known  a  design  to  become 
a  member  of  our  Society,  then  the 
preacher  present  shall  ask  such  person 
the  following  questions : 

1.  Do  you  believe  the  Bible  to  be 
the  word  of  God  ? 

2.  Have  you  experienced  the  pardon 
of  your  sins,  and  are  you  determined 
by  the  grace  of  God  to  save  your 
Boul? 


22  UNITED   BRErHREN 

3.  Are  you  willing  to  be  goyerned 
by  our  Church  discipline  ? 

1.  If  the  person  answer  the  above 
questions  in  the  affirmative,  and  no 
lawful  objections  be  made  by  any  mem- 
ber on  account  of  immoral  conduct, 
then  the  preacher  shall  give  his  right 
hand  to  such  person  as  a  member  of 
our  Society,  and  record  the  name  on 
the  Church  or  class-book  ;  but  so  long 
as  any  person  can  not  answer  the  above 
questions  in  the  affirmative,  such  per- 
son shall  not  be  considered  in  full 
membership,  and  shall  have  no  vote  in 
the  Society,  but  shall  be  recognized  as 
a  seeker,  under  the  watch-care  of  the 
Church. 

2.  If  any  persons  thus  received  un- 
der the  watch-care  of  the  Church  shall 
cease  to  manifest  a  desire  to  seek  the 
Lord,  the  preacher  in  charge,  by  the 
consent  of  the  class,  can,  at  any  time, 
after  personal  labor  for  their  salvation 


DISCIPLINE.  23 

by  the  preacher  in  charge,  or  class- 
leader,  publicly  drop  the  name  of  such 
seekers. 

3.  All  members  of  this  Society 
shall  acknowledge  and  confess  that 
they  believe  the  word  of  God ;  that 
they  will  henceforth  strive,  with  all 
their  hearts,  to  seek  their  eternal 
"welfare  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  work  out 
their  salvation  with  fear  and  trembling, 
to  the  end  that  they  may  be  enabled 
to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come. 

4.  Every  member  shall  endeavor  to 
lead  a  good  life  ]  be  diligent  in  prayer, 
particularly  in  private,  and,  for  his 
own  edification,  attend,  when  practica- 
ble, all  of  our  prayer  and  class-meet- 
ings, and  meetings  for  public  worship. 

5.  Heads  of  families  should  never 
omit  to  pray  with  their  families,  morn- 
ings and  evenings,  and  set  them  a  good 
example  in  all  the  Christian  virtues. 

.    6.  Every  one  should  strive  to  walk 


^4  UNITED   BRETHREN 

as  in  the  presence  of  G-od  ;  also,  accus- 
tom himself  to  a  close  communion  with 
God  in  all  his  employments,  and  never 
speak  evil  of  his  fellow  beings,  hut 
practice  love  toward  friend  and  foe  ;  do 
good  to  the  poor,  and  endeavor  to  he  a 
follower  of  Jesus  Christ  indeed. 

7.  Every  one  shall  keep  the  Sabbath- 
day  holy,  as  required  in  the  word  of 
Grod ;  neither  buy  nor  sell,  but  spend 
the  same  in  exercises  of  devotion,  in 
reading  and  hearing  the  word  of  God, 
and  with  singing  spiritual  hymns  to  the 
honor  and  glory  of  God. 

8.  It  is  the  duty  of  every  member  to 
lead  a  quiet,  peaceable,  and  godly  life 
among  men,  as  it  becomes  a  Christian 
to  live  in  peace,  and  be  subject  to  the 
higher  or  ruling  powers,  as  the  word 
of  God  requires. 

9.  It  is  the  duty  of  all  members  of 
the  Church  to  pay  toward  the  support 
of  the  itinerant  ministry,  quarterly,  or 


DISCIPLINE.  25 

oftener  if  need  be,  in  proportion  to 
their  ability,  as  God  has  prospered 
them  ;  for  the  Lord  hath  ordained  that 
they  who  preach  the  Gospel  shall  live 
by  the  Gospel.  1st  Cor.  ix,  14th  verse. 
1st  Tim.  V,  18. 

10.  Each  member  of  our  Society 
should  willingly  and  freely  contribute 
quarterly,  if  need  be,  as  God  has  pros- 
pered him  or  her  (1st  Cor.  xvi  :  2),  to 
the  support  of  the  helpless  poor. 

11.  When  it  is  known  by  any  of  our 
class-leaders  that  there  are  poor  mem- 
bers among  them,  who,  by  sickness,  ac- 
cident, or  other  unavoidable  circum- 
stances, have  been  brought  to  want,  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  the  leader  in 
charge  to  go,  or  appoint  one  to  wait 
upon  the  class,  to  ask  alms,  money, 
clothing,  or  produce,  as  the  circum- 
stances may  require ;  and  should  any 
one  class  be  too  poor  to  alleviate  its 
poor,  it  shall  then  be  made  known  to 


26  UNITED    BRETHREN 

the  preaclaer  in  charge,  whose  duty  it 
shall  be  to  inform  the  diiferent  classes 
on  his  circuit ;  and  if  it  should  so  hap- 
pen that  any  one  circuit  should  be  in- 
sufficient to  meet  the  wants  of  its  poor, 
it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  presiding 
elder  to  present  the  matter  on  the  dif- 
ferent circuits  at  their  quarterly  con- 
ferences, so  that  the  unavoidably  poor 
of  our  Church  may  be  considered  and 
provided  for.  1  John,  iii :  17.  Ps. 
xli :  1,  2. 

The  foregoing  rules  are  drawn  up 
for  the  better  regulation  of  our  Society ; 
and  we  believe  they  are  founded  in  the 
word  of  Grod,  and  incumbent  on  all  who 
are  members  of  our  Church  to  observe. 
Should  any  violate  or  habitually  neglect 
these  rules,  they  shall  be,  by  their  re- 
spective class-leaders,  admonished  to 
reformation ;  and  should  they  not  re- 
form, they  shall  be  suspended  or  ex- 
pelled, as  the  case  may  require. 


DISCIPLINE.  27 

Inasmuch  as  the  Lord  has  com- 
manded us  not  to  be  conformed  to  this 
world  (Kom.  xii :  2),  to  lay  apart  all 
filthiness,  and  superfluity  of  naughti- 
ness (James  i :  21),  and  as  the  princi- 
ples of  the  Christian  religion,  as  taught 
both  by  the  precepts  and  example  of 
the  meek  and  adorable  Savior,  are  in 
strict  and  perfect  accordance  with  these 
commandments  :  We  therefore  humbly 
beseech  and  admonish  the  members  of 
our  Church,  both  male  and  female,  to 
observe  these  divine  precepts,  especially 
in  the  wearing  of  gold  and  jewels, 
which  is  forbidden  expressly  in  the 
word  of  God,  and  also  in  the  wearing 
of  artificials,  and  buying,  and  making 
and  wearing  of  apparel,  and  the  cut- 
ting and  wearing  of  the  hair — most 
ESPECIALLY  Our  ministers  and  their 
families,  they  being  ensamples  to  the 
flock. 

It  is  the  advice  of  the  General  Cou- 


28  UNITED   BRETHREN 

ference,  that  all  districts,  stations,  cir- 
cuits, and  missions,  cheerfully  receive 
the  preachers  appointed  by  the  station- 
ing committee  of  the  respective  annual 
conferences. 

]  SECTION  IV. 

i 

CLASSES. 

-  1.  A  class  shall  consist  of  three  or 
more  members,  who  shall  annually 
elect  one  member  from  their  own  or 
some  other  class,  who  shall  be  called 
their  leader. 

2.  Classes  shall  be  divided,  or  new 
ones  formed,  by  a  committee,  consisting 
of  the  preacher  in  charge,  and  one  or 
more  brethren,  elected  by  the  Church 
or  class  at  any  place  where  it  may  be 
deemed  necessary. 

1  3.  In  case  it  becomes  impracticable 
to  keep  up  an  organization  by  the 
election  of  class  officers,  the  members 


DISCIPLINE.  29 

at  such  place  shall  be  required  to  join 
the  nearest  class ;  and  any  one  failing 
to  do  so  niay  be  dropped. 

Ques.  What  is  the  duty  of  a  leader  ? 
'.  Ans.  1.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  meet 
his  class,  in  class  or  prayer-meeting,  at 
least  once  a  week,  to  speak  to  them 
concerning  the  spiritual  welfare  of  their 
souls,  and  exhort  them  to  unity  and 
love.  He  shall  extend  the  freedom  of 
our  prayer  and  class-meetings  to  all 
sincere  and  well-disposed  persons  who 
may  desire  to  attend  them.  And  it 
shall  be  his  duty  to  visit  any  member 
or  members  of  his  class  who  may  absent 
themselves  from  our  regular  social 
meetings. 

Any  class-leader  failing  to  discharge 
these  duties  may,  on  complaint,  be  re- 
moved by  the  quarterly  conference.       | 

2.  Every  class  shall  annually  elect 
(or,  if  the  class  prefer  it,  the  preacher 


30  UNITED   BRETHREN 

may  appoint)  one  who  shall  be  called 
class- steward. 

Qiies.  What  is  the  duty  of  a  steward  ? 

Ans.  1.  He  shall  collect  quarterly 
contributions,  or  oftener  than  quarterly, 
if  needed,  for  the  support  of  the  travel- 
ing preachers.  He  shall  keep  an  ac- 
curate account  of  the  amount  paid  by 
each  quarterly  conference  or  ofl&cial 
meeting. 

2.  For  the  faithful  discharge  of  his 
duties  as  steward  of  his  class,  he  shall 
be  accountable  to  the  quarterly  con- 
ference, which  shall  have  power  to  dis- 
miss him  for  official  delinquency. 

3.  It  shall  also  be  his  duty  to  pro- 
vide the  elements  for  Sacrament. 

SECTION   V, 
EXHORTBRS. 

Ques.  How  are  exhorters  received  ? 
Ans.  Any  person  wishing  to  obtain 


DISCIPLTXE.  31 

license  to  exhort  or  prcac"h  must  obtain 
from  the  class  of  which  he  is  a  member, 
by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  mem- 
bers, a  recommendation  in  writing, 
signed  by  the  leader,  or  preacher  in 
charge,  to  the  quarterly  conference  of 
the  circuit,  station,  or  mission  to  which 
he  belongs. 

Ques.  What  are  the  duties  of  exhort- 
ers? 

Ans.  To  make  appointments  wher- 
ever acceptable  to  the  people ;  read 
portions  of  sacred  Scripture,  exhorting 
therefrom  ;  exhorting  saints,  that  they 
with  purpose  of  heart  should  cleave  to 
the  Lord,  and  sinners  to  flee  from 
the  wrath  to  come  ;  and  this  they  shall 
do  as  often  as  practicable 


32  UNITED   BRETHREN 

SE  TION   VI. 
RECEPTION  OF  PREACHERS. 

Ques.  How  are  preachers  received  ? 

Ans.  Every  person  proposed  as  a 
preacher  shall  be  examined  by  the 
conference,  or  a  select  committee  ;  and 
the  following  questions  shall  be  put  to 
him,  viz : 

1.  Have  you  known  God  in  "Christ 
Jesus  to  be  a  sin-pardoning  God  ? 

2.  Have  you  now  peace  with  God; 
and  is  the  love  of  God  shed  abroad  in 
your  heart  by  the  Holy  Spirit  ? 

3.  Do  you  believe  the  Bible  to  be 
the  word  of  God,  and  that  therein  is 
contained  the  only  true  way  to  our 
salvation  ? 

4.  What  foundation  have  you  for 
that  belief? 

5.  Do  you  follow  after  holiness  ? 

6.  What  is  your  motive  for  desiring 
permission  to  preach  the  Gospel  ? 


J^  DISCIPLINE.  33 

7.  Do  you  believe  that  man,  abstract 
of  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
is  fallen  from  original  righteousness, 
and  is  not  only  entirely  destitute  of 
holiness,  but  is  inclined  to  evil,  and 
only  evil,  and  that  continually;  and 
that  except  a  man  be  born  again  he 
can  not  see  the  kingdom  of  God? 

8.  What  is  your  knowledge  of  re- 
demption, of  faith,  of  repentance,  jus- 
tification, and  sanctification  ? 

9.  Does  your  own  salvation,  and  the 
salvation  of  your  fellow  mortals,  lie 
nearer  to  your  heart  than  all  other 
things  in  the  world  ? 

10.  Will  you  subject  yourself  to  the 
counsel  of  your  brethren? 

11.  Are  you  satisfied  with  our 
Church  government? 

12.  Are  you  willing,  as  much  as  is  in 
your  power,  to  assist  in  upholding  the 
itinerant  plan  ? 

None  can  be  admitted  without  hay- 
3 


^  UNITED   BRETHREN 

ing  a  recommendation  from  the  quar- 
terly conference,  and  then  only  to  be 
received  on  probation  ;  but  if  confer- 
ence should,  on  examination,  find  that 
his  abilities  are  insufficient  to  preach 
the  Gospel,  it  may  refer  him  back  to 
the  quarterly  conference,  for  further 
instruction. 

When  a  preacher  or  elder  is  expelled 
from  one  annual  conference,  he  shall 
not  be  received  into  another,  without 
the  consent  of  the  conference  from 
which  he  was  expelled. 

A  preacher  removing  from  one  con- 
ference to  another  shall,  when  he  ap- 
plies to  another  for  admission,  produce 
9,  transfer  from  the  conference  to  which 
he  formerly  belonged,  signed  by  the 
presiding  officer,  or  published  in  the 
minutes  of  the  conference  from  which 
he  is  transferred. 

A  preacher  or  elder  who  receives  a 
transfer    is   required   to   present   said 


DISCIPLINE.  35 

transfer  to  another  conference,  or  re- 
turn it  to  the  conference  by  which  it 
was  issued,  within  eighteen  months 
after  its  date.  Otherwise  the  transfer 
shall  be  null  and  void,  and  the  name 
of  the  preacher  holding  it  be  erased 
from  the  conference  record. 

Provided.,  preachers  taking  transfers 
to  the  Pacific  coast  shall  be  allowed 
two  years  in  which  to  present  their 
transfers. 

A  preacher  or  elder  receiving  a 
transfer  shall  be  accountable  to  the 
quarterly  conference  within  whose  ter- 
ritorial jurisdiction  he  may  reside,  for 
his  moral  and  official  character. 

SECTION   VII. 

PREACHERS'  DUTIES. 

Ques.  What  are  the  duties  of  preach- 
ers? 

Ans.    To    preach    Christ  crucified, 


36  UNITED    BRETHREN 

whenever  they  can  get  hearers  ;  to  ibrm 
classes ;  to  converse  with  the  memhers 
on  the  spiritual  condition  of  their  souls; 
to  administer  relief  ^  to  strengthen  and 
direct  those  that  are  afflicted  and  labor 
under  temptations  ;  to  animate  the  in- 
dolent ;  to  endeavor  as  much  as  possi- 
ble to  edify  and  instruct  all  in  faith,  in 
grace,  and  in  the  knowledge  of  Jesus 
Christ;  to  visit  the  sick  on  all  occa- 
sions ;  to  strive  to  enforce  and  confirm 
the  doctrine  they  deliver  by  a  well- 
ordered  and  exemplary  life. 

Ques.  What  are  the  directions  given 
to  our  preachers  ? 

Ans.  1.  Be  diligent.  Never  trifle 
away  your  time.  Always  be  serious. 
Let  your  motto  be,  *' Holiness  unto 
THE  Lord  !"  Avoid  all  lightness  and 
jesting ;  converse  sparingly ;  conduct 
yourself  prudently  with  women ;  and 
demean  yourself  in  all  respects  as  a 
true  Christian.     Be  at  all  times  averse 


DISCIPLINE.  37 

to  crediting  evil  reports;  believe  evil 
of  no  one  without  good  evidence.  Put 
the  best  construction  on  every  thing. 

2.  Speak  evil  of  no  one.  What- 
ever may  be  your  thoughts,  keep  them 
within  your  own  breast  until  you  can 
tell  the  person  concerned  what  you 
think  wrong  in  his  conduct. 

3.  Let  your  business  be  to  save  as 
many  souls  as  possible.  To  this  em- 
ployment give  yourself  up  wholly. 
Visit  those  who  need  it;  and  act  in 
all  things,  not  according  to  your  own 
wills,  but  as  sons  in  the  Gospel ;  for  as 
such  it  becomes  your  duty  to  employ 
your  time  in  the  manner  prescribed, 
in  preaching,  and  visiting  from  house 
to  house;  in  instruction  and  prayer, 
and  in  meditating  on  the  word  of  God. 
With  these  be  occupied  until  our 
Lord  Cometh. 

No  preacher  shall  arbitrarily  form 
a   mission    or  circuit  within   the   em- 


38  UNITED  BRETHREN. 

brace  of  any  circuit  or  presiding  eld- 
er's district. 


SECTION  VIII. 

'  GENERAL  CONFERENCE. 

Ques.  1.  Who  are  the  members  of 
the  General  Conference?  (^See  Gon- 
stitution.^ 

Ques.  2.  How  are  they  to  be  elect- 
ed? 

Ans.  1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each 
annual  conference  to  appoint  a  com- 
mittee of  three  to  receive  and  count 
the  votes,  and  immediately  apprise 
those  who  may  have  been  elected; 
also  to  furnish  each  preacher  in  charge 
with  a  list  of  the  names  of  all  the  eld- 
ers eligible. 

2.  The  preacher  in  charge  shall  fur- 
nish each  class-leader  or  steward  in 
his  charge  with  a  copy  of  the  above- 


DISCIPLINE.  39 

named  list,  at  least  ten  months  before 
the  sitting  of  General  Conference,  and 
the  election  shall  be  held  invariably 
within  the  month  of  November,  next 
preceding  the  sitting  of  the  said  con- 
ference. 

4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  class- 
leader  or  steward  to  appoint  a  meeting 
of  the  members  of  his  class,  for  the 
purpose  of  electing,  by  ballot  or  other- 
wise-, their  delegates  to  represent  them 
in  General  Conference.  Should  any  be 
incapacitated,  by  affliction  or  age,  to 
attend  such  meetings,  they  may  send 
their  ballots,  containing  the  names  of 
the  candidates  of  their  choice,  and 
their  own  names  signed  on  the  back 
of  their  ballots. 

4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each 
class-leader  or  steward  to  sign,  inclose, 
and  seal  each  bill  of  election,  and 
keep  a  correct  copy  of  the  same,  stat- 
ing what  class   and   circuit,   and   im- 


40  UNITED   BRETHREN 

mediately  transmit  it  (prepaid)  to  the 
committee  appointed  by  the  annual 
conference. 

5.  Said  committee  shall  make  out  a 
list  of  all  the  persons  voted  for,  and 
of  the  number  of  votes  for  each.  And 
should  any  two  or  more  of  the  candi- 
dates have  an  equal  number  of  votes, 
the  committee  shall  determine,  by  lot, 
which  of  them  is  elected.  They  shall 
also  forward,  by  the  first  of  February, 
the  names  of  those  elected,  to  the  Con- 
ference Printing  Establishment  for  pub- 
lication ;  and  if  one  or  more  of  those 
elected  should  be  prevented,  by  death, 
sickness,  or  otherwise,  from  attending, 
it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  tellers  to 
notify  the  next  highest  on  the  bill  to 
take  his  place;  and  so  descend,  if  need 
be,  to  the  last  candidate.  All  bills 
of  election  received  by  the  tellers  after 
the  first  of  February  shall  not  be 
counted. 


DISCIPLINE.  41 

Qiies.  3.  What  shall  be  the  number 
of  delegates  to  the  General  Confer- 
ence? 

Ans.  Three  from  each  annual  con- 
ference district. 

Ques.  4.  How  shall  the  expenses 
of  the  delegates  to  the  General  Confer- 
ence be  defrayed? 

Ans.  The  annual  conference  next 
preceding  the  election  of  delegates  to 
the  General  Conference  shall  ascertain 
the  amount  of  money  that  will  be  nec- 
essary to  defray  the  expenses  of  its 
delegates  to  General  Conference,  and 
apportion  the  same  among  its  different 
fields  of  labor;  and  the  preacher  in 
charge  shall  collect  and  forward  such 
amount  to  the  presiding  elder  of  his 
district,  who  shall  transmit  such 
amount  to  the  tellers  by  the  first  of 
February  preceding  the  General  Con- 
ference. Should  any  preacher  neg-  ': 
lect  his  duty,  he  shall  be  accountable 


42  UNITED    BRETHREN 

therefor  to  the  next  annual  confer- 
ence. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  General 
Conference  to  examine  the  administra- 
tion of  each  annual  conference,  whether 
it  has  strictly  observed  the  rules  and 
preserved  the  moral  and  doctrinal 
principles  of  the  discipline  in  all  its 
transactions. 

In  the  election  of  all  officers  of  the 
General  Conference,  a  majority  of  all 
the  votes  shall  be  necessary  to  a  choice. 


SECTION  IX. 

ANNUAL  CONFEEENCE. 

Ques.l.y^ho  are  the  members  of 
this  conference? 

Ans.  All  the  elders  and  licentiate 
preachers  who  have  been  duly  re- 
ceived by  the  conference. 

Ques.  2.    In  what  manner  are  the 


DISCIPLINE.  43 

transactions  of  a  conference  to  be  con- 
ducted? 

Ans.  1.  A  portion  of  Scripture  shall 
be  read;  also,  singing  and  prayer  each 
day,  at  the  opening  and  at  the  closing 
of  conference. 

2.  The  conference  shall  elect  two 
secretaries — one  German  and  one  Eng- 
lish, wherever  it  may  be  necessary. 
And  when  only  one  bishop  is  present, 
the  conference  shall  elect  a  chairman, 
by  ballot,  to  act  in  conjunction  with 
the  bishop.  If  no  bishop  should  be 
present,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  an- 
nual conference  to  elect  a  bishop  pro 
tern.,  whose  official  acts  shall  be  valid. 

3.  The  preachers  shall  be  examined 
respecting  their  deportment  toward 
their  fellow-beings,  whether  their  con- 
duct in  life  be  blameless,  and  whether 
they  employ  as  much  time  as  practi- 
cable to  promote  the  kingdom  of  God ; 
(according  to  Titus,  1st  chap.,  7th  to 


44  UNITED    BRETHREN 

9th  verse,  and  2d  Tim.,  2d  chap.,  15th 
verse ;)  and  if  found  delinquent,  shall 
be  admonished  or  advised  as  the  case 
may  require.  But  should  all  admoni- 
tion or  advice  fail,  then  the  name  of 
the  delinquent  person  shall  be  erased 
from  the  minutes  of  the  conference. 

4.  Should  any  member  of  the  an- 
nual conference  absent  himself  from 
the  session  of  conference  three  years 
in  succession,  without  giving  a  satis- 
factory reason  for  so  doing,  his  name 
may  be  erased  from  the  minutes  of  the 
conference. 

5.  No  preacher  shall  be  permitted 
to  electioneer  favorably  to  his  own 
election  to  any  office  or  delegation  in 
the  Church;  and  should  any  one  be 
found  doing  so,  he  shall  be  account- 
able to  the  next  annual  conference  of 
which  he  is  a  member,  to  be  dealt 
with  according  to  the  judgment  of 
said  conference. 


DISCIPLINE.  45 

The  following  questions  shall  also 
be  asked: 

1.  Have  any  of  the  preachers  died 
during  the  last  year? 

2.  Who  are  candidates  for  the  min- 
istry? 

3.  Are  any  to  be  ordained  to  the 
office  of  elder? 

4.  What  has  been  collected  for  con- 
tingent expenses  and  the  salary  of 
traveling  preachers? 

5.  What  has  been  done  for  missions? 

6.  What  has  been  done  for  Sabbath- 
schools? 

7.  Has  reckoning  been  made  with 
the  traveling  preachers  ? 

8.  Who  are  the  presiding  elders? 

9.  Where  are  the  preachers  stationed 
this  year? 

10.  Where  shall  our  next  confer- 
ence be  held? 

11.  Is  there  any  thing  else  to  be 
done? 


46  UNITED   BRETHREN 

12.  Is  all  that  has  been  done  en- 
tered upon  record? 

SECTION   X. 

ORGANIZATION   OF   THE    ITINERANCY 
AND  THE    MANNER  OF   SUS- 
TAINING IT. 

Ques.  Who  are  the  itinerants? 

Ans.  1.  All  who  propose  themselves 
without  reserve,  after  having  traveled 
two  years  under  the  direction  of  the 
stationing  committee  or  presiding  elder, 
and  have  been  received,  by  a  vote  of 
two-thirds  of  the  members  of  confer- 
ence, shall  be  considered  itinerants 
from  year  to  year,  and  may  be  em- 
ployed under  the  direction  of  the  gen- 
eral or  annual  conferences. 

2.  The  bishop  and  presiding  elders 
of  the  past  and  present  years,  together 
with  an  equal  number  of  local  elders 
or   preachers,    elected   by   the   annual 


DISCIPLINE.  47 

conference,  shall  constitute  a  station- 
ing committee,  whose  duty  it  shall  be 
to  supply  all  the  circuits,  stations,  and 
missions,  as  far  as  practicable,  from 
the  above  list : 

Provided,  however,  that  if  any  of 
the  preachers  thus  stationed,  or  any 
who  may  not  receive  an  appointment, 
are  dissatisfied,  they  shall  have  a  right 
to  appeal  to  the  annual  conference,  if 
two-thirds  grant  the  appeal,*  the  de- 
cision of  which  shall  be  final ;  and  the 
report  of  said  stationing  committee 
shall  be  read  at  least  six  hours  before 
the  adjournment  of  conference. 

3.  Should  there  not  be  enough  itin- 
erants to  fill  all  the  circuits,  stations, 
and  missions,  such  vacancies  shall  be 

*NoTE. — In  case  of  an  appeal  from  the 
decision  of  the  stationing  committee,  -  no 
preacher  stationed  by  said  committee  shall 
be  changed,  without  his  consent,  to  accom- 
modate the  preacher  asking  such  appeal. 


48  UNITED   BRETHREN 

supplied  by  the  stationing  committee 
or  presiding  elders. 

Ques.  2.  What  shall  be  done  for  the 
support  of  itinerants  ? 

Ans.  1.  The  quarterly  conference,  at 
its  last  session  in  each  year,  shall  ap- 
point an  estimating  committee  for  the 
ensuing  year ;  which  committee  shall 
meet  at  the  time  and  place  specified  by 
the  preacher  appointed  to  the  charge 
for  the  ensuing  year,  and  make  out  an 
estimate  of  the  regular  expenses  of  the 
circuit,  station,  or  mission,  and  appor- 
tion the  same  among  the  diflferent  ap- 
pointments according  to  their  several 
abilities : 

Provided,  however,  that  it  shall  be 
the  privilege  of  any  class  to  collect  the 
amount  apportioned  to  it  by  subscrip- 
tion or  otherwise. 

Ques.  3.  How  shall  the  presiding  eld- 
ers be  elected  ? 

Ans.    The   annual   conference   shall 


DISCIPLINE.  49 

elect  them  by  ballot.  A  majority  of 
tbe  whole  number  of  votes  shall  be 
necessary  to  a  choice. 

Ques.  4.  What  shall  be  done  for  the 
support  of  the  presiding  elders? 

Ans.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each 
annual  conference  to  make  such  regu- 
lations for  the  support  of  the  presiding 
elders  as  they  in  their  wisdom  may 
think  best  calculated  to  accomplish  the 
desired  end. 

Ques.  5.  How  shall  they  be  sta- 
tioned? 

Aiis.  By  the  bishop  and  one  elder 
from  each  presiding  elder  district. 

Ques.  6.  How  shall  the  bishops' 
fields  of  labor  be  assigned  them? 

Ans.  By  the  General  Conference; 
and  in  the  fields  thus  assigned  them 
they  shall  devote  their  whole  time : 

Provided,  however,  that  they  shall 
have  the  privilege  of  making  inter- 
changes when  circumstances   make  it 


50  UNITED   BRETHREN 

necessary,  the  same  not  being  incon- 
sistent with  the  wishes  of  the  respect- 
ive annual  conferences. 

Qves.  7.  How  shall  their  support  be 
secured  ? 

Ans.  1.  Each  annual  conference  shall 
apportion  its  respective  part  of  the 
salary  of  its  bishop,  annually,  to  the 
several  fields  of  labor  in  its  bounds, 
according  to  the  ability  thereof. 

2.  The  bishops  shall  publish  an- 
nually, in  the  columns  of  the  Keligious 
Telescope,  reports  of  their  respective 
districts,  and  also  the  amount  of  salary 
received  from  the  several  annual  con- 
ferences in  their  charge. 

Ques.  8.  What  shall  be  done  to 
regulate  the  annual  conferences  in  the 
division-of  circuits  or  stations? 

Ans.  A  circuit  or  station  shall  not 
consist  of  any  specific  number  of  mem- 
bers or  appointments ;  but  when  the 
annual    conference    thinks  it   able  to 


DISCIPLINE.  51 

support  a  minister,  it  may  be   recog- 
nized as  such. 

If  any  who  are  received,  as  above 
itated,  shall  cease  to  travel  without 
giving  satisfaction  to  the  conference 
of  which  he  is  a  member,  he  shall  not 
be  entitled  to  any  support  from  the 
funds  belonging  to  said  conference. 
And,  furthermore,  he  shall  not  re- 
enter the  itinerancy  without  the  con- 
sent of  at  least  two-thirds  of  the 
conference.  Yet  supernumerary  and 
superannuated  relations  shall  be  duly 
recognized  as  in  accordance  with  this 
section,  and  may  be  secured  to  any 
brother  having  just  claims  thereto,  by 
a  vote  of  conference.  Should  a  trav- 
eling preacher  or  elder  desire  to  leave 
the  work  assigned  him,  he  must  first 
acquaint  the  presiding  elder  of  his  in- 
tention, by  writing;  and  should  any 
one  leave  or  neglect  his  station,  except 
it  be  through  sickness  or   other  un- 


52  UNITED   BRETHREN 

avoidable  circumstances,  he  shall  be 
accountable  to  the  next  annual  confer- 
ence. 

SECTION   XI. 

ITINERANT  PREACHERS'  DUTIES. 

Qites.  What  are  the  duties  of  a  cir- 
cuit preacher? 

Ans.  1.  To  take  the  circuit  assigned 
him  willingly. 

2.  To  attend  the  appointments  on 
his  circuit  regularly,  preach  to  the 
people,  and  hold  society  meetings. 

3.  The  preacher  in  charge  is  to  see 
that  there  are  suitable  persons  elected 
in  all  the  classes  as  leaders  and  stew- 
ards, at  the  close  of  the  conference 
year. 

4.  To  read  the  following  four  sec- 
tions of  our  discipline  every  six  months, 
ia  each  class,  viz :   The  Confession  of 


DISCIPLINE.  53 

Faith;  Reception  and  Duties  of  Mem- 
hers;   Classes;   Trial  of  Members. 

5.  To  sit  as  president  on  the  trial 
of  members,  and  see  that  a  correct  ac- 
count of  the  same  is  kept. 

6.  To  render  a  strict  account  of  the 
condition  of  his  circuit  to  each  quar- 
terly conference,  where  he  is  to  be 
held  accountable  for  the  neglect  of 
any  regular  appointment  on  his  cir- 
cuit. 

7.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  use  every 
laudable  eiFort  to  circulate  our  books 
and  Church  periodicals,  and  to  use 
due  diligence  to  advance  the  interests 
of  the  Conference  Printing  Establish- 
ment. 

8.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  keep  a 
list  of  the  names  of  all  the  subscribers 
to  our  Church  periodicals,  and  the 
time  of  subscribing,  at  the  different 
appointments  on  his  circuit,  and  hand 
it  over  to  his  successor  at  the  annual 


54  UNITED    BRETHREN 

conference,  with  the  list   of  the   ap- 
pointments. 

9.  No  preacher  shall  dismiss  any 
appointment  from  his  circuit,  without 
the  consent  of  quarterly  conference. 

10.  To  make  out  a  list  of  all  the 
appointments  on  his  circuit,  together 
with  the  names  of  all  the  members  at 
each  appointment,  and  present  it  to 
the  presiding  elder  at  each  annual 
conference,  for  the  convenience  of  his 
successor. 

11.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  preach- 
ers in  charge  of  circuits,  stations,  and 
missions,  to  collect  the  annual  amount 
apportioned  to  their  fields  of  labor  for 
the  support  of  the  bishops. 

12.  He  shall  hold  a  general  mis- 
sionary meeting  at  some  convenient 
place  on  his  work.  He  shall  also 
preach  a  missionary  sermon,  and  ap- 
point a  soliciting  committee  at  every 
appointment,  whose   duty  it  shall  be, 


DISCIPLINE.  55 

in  conjunction  with  himself,  to  canvasa 
the  class  and  community,  personally, 
to  solicit  funds  for  the  missionary  so- 
ciety. 

13.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  all  sta- 
tioned preachers  to  visit  every  family 
under  their  care,  at  least  once  every 
quarter,  and  pay  strict  attention  to  the 
young  members  of  their  charge. 

14.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  circuit 
preachers  to  visit  as  much  as  possible. 

15.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  all 
preachers,  whether  local  or  itinerant, 
to  make  use  of  every  laudable  effort  to 
enlarge  the  borders  of  our  Zion,  in 
spreading  scriptural  holiness,  and  re- 
port to  their  respective  annual  confer- 
ence the  number  of  new  appointments 
obtained. 


56  UNITED   BRETHREN  i 

I 

I 

SECTION   XII. 
BISHOPS— ELECTION  AND  DUTIES. 

Ques.  How  are  the  bishops  to  be 
elected  ? 

Ans.  The  General  Conference  shall 
elect  them,  for  the  term  of  four  years, 
by  a  majority  of  the  whole  number  of 
votes,  to  be,  at  the  option  of  con- 
ference, re-elected.  The  bishops  must 
be  capable  of  attending  the  conferences 
appointed  them,  otherwise  they  can 
not  be  elected. 

Ques.  What  are  the  duties  of  bish- 
ops? 

Ans.  1.  To  preside  over  the  annual 
and  General  Conferences. 

2.  In  conjunction  with  the  presiding 
elders  of  the  past  and  present  year, 
together  with  an  equal  number  of  eld- 
ers or  preachers,  they  may  fix  the  ap- 


DISCIPLINE.  57 

pointments  of  the  traveling  preachers 
for  the  several  circuits,  stations,  and 
missions :  Provided^  that  they  do  not 
allow  any  itinerant  preacher  to  re- 
main on  the  same  station  or  circuit 
more  than  three  consecutive  years,  un- 
less particular  circumstances  require  it, 
and  then  only  with  consent  of  the  con- 
ference. 

3.  The  bishop,  in  conjunction  with 
one  elder  from  each  presiding  elder 
district,  elected  by  the  conference, 
?hall  appoint  the  presiding  elders  to 
their  respective  districts. 

4.  It  shall  be  their  duty  to  perform 
the  rite  of  ordination  at  the  annual 
eonferences,  and  at  such  other  times 
and  places  as  circumstances  may  re- 
quire it,  and  then  only  upon  such  per- 
sons as  have  passed  the  usual  examina- 
tion required  of  candidates  for  ordina- 
tion, by  a  committee  of  three  elders 


58  UNITED    BRETHREN 

chosen  for  that  purpose  by  one  of  the 
bishops. 

5.  The  bishops  shall  hold  annua/ 
meetings,  at  which  they  shall  determ- 
ine the  time  of  holding  the  annual 
conferences,  decide  questions  of  disci- 
pline, adopt  measures  to  secure  uni- 
formity in  their  administration  ;  and, 
when  circumstances  demand  it,  ap- 
point fast  and  thanksgiving  seasons, 
and  counsel  upon  the  general  interests 
of  the  Church. 

6.  In  conjunction  with  the  board 
of  missions,  the  bishops  shall  have 
power  to  organize  mission  conferences. 

7.  The  bishops  shall  devote  as  much 
of  their  time  as  possibly,  consistent 
with  their  other  duties,  to  visiting  our 
missions  in  the  South  and  elsewhere, 
and  exploring  new  fields. 

8.  AVhen  a  bishop  neglects  his  duty, 
unless    through    unavoidable    circum- 


DISCIPLINE.  59 

stances,  he  can  not  be  suffered  to  re- 
tain his  office. 

9.  If  our  Church  should  at  any 
time  be  destitute  of  a  bishop,  a  bishop 
pro  tem.  shall  be  elected  from  among 
the  elders  at  each  annual  conference. 
Each  bishop  pro  tem.  shall  attend  the 
next  succeeding  conference,  in  con- 
junction with  the  bishop  pro  tem, 
there  elected,  that  a  regular  corre- 
spondence be  maintained  until  the  en- 
suing General  Conference. 

10.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
bishops  to  see  that  a  suitable  sermon 
be  delivered  to  the  preachers  present 
at  each  annual  conference. 


SECTION  XIII. 

ELECTION  OF  ELDERS- 

Ques.  How  is  an  elder  constituted? 
Ans.    After    a    probation    of   three 


60  UNITED   BRETHREN 

years,  a  preacher  may  be  presented  to 
the  annual  conference  for  considera- 
tion ;  whereupon  the  bishop  shall  pro- 
pose to  conference  the  following  ques- 
tions : 

.  Ques.  1.  Is  he  blameless  touching 
the  marriage  state  ? 

2.  Is  his  deportment  in  the  social 
circle  marked  with  watchful  sobriety? 

3.  Is  he  hospitable  toward  the 
afBicted  and  needy? 

4.  Is  he  faithful  in  the  public  min- 
istration of  God's  word,  and  diligent 
in  reading  and  study? 

5.  Is  his  household  subject  to  rules 
of  piety? 

Should  the  above  questions  be  an- 
swered in  the  affirmative,  a  committee 
of  three  or  five  elders  shall  be  ap- 
pointed, before  whom  the  candidate 
shall  appear,  and  speak  uninterrupt- 
edly in  answer  to  the  following  ques- 
tions, viz : 


DISCIPLINE.  61 

Ques.  1.  Upon  what  foundation  do 
you  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the  word 
of  God? 

2.  How  do  you  prove  the  fall  of 
man  by  transgression  ? 

3.  How  do  you  prove  the  redemp- 
tion of  man  by  Jesus  Christ? 

4.  Do  you  believe  in  the  Godhead 
of  Jesus  Christ  ? 

5.  What  foundation  have  you  for 
such  a  belief? 

6.  Do  you  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost 
as  presented  in  our  Confession  of 
Faith  ? 

7.  Upon  what  evidence  do  you  be- 
lieve this? 

8.  Do  you  believe  in  future,  ever- 
lasting punishment? 

It  shall  be  the  privilege  of  the  com- 
mittee, in  the  close,  to  propose  any 
question  touching  the  answers  given, 
wherein  their  understanding  may  not 
have  been  distinct.     It   shall  also  be 


62  UNITED    BRETHREN 

their  duty  to  make  out,  sign,  and  de- 
liver to  conference  a  report  of  each 
case  which  may  have  been  before  them. 
Whereupon,  by  a  majority  of  the  votes 
of  the  elders  of  conference,  said  candi- 
dates may  be  elected  to  ordination. 
All  ordained  elders  of  other  denomina- 
tions, who  may  join  our  Church  as 
such,  must  pass  the  above  examina- 
tion ;  but  they  may  be  exempt  from 
the  laying  on  of  hands.  Yet,  circum- 
stances demanding  it,  a  licentiate  may 
be  presented  to  conference  for  ordina- 
tion at  any  time  prior  to  a  probation 
of  three  years,  provided  two-thirds  of 
the  elders  present  vote  for  the  same. 


SECTION   XIV. 

I 

OEDINATION  OF  ELDERS. 

I,  On  the  day  appointed  there  shall 
be  a  suitable  sermon  delivered. 


DISCIPLINE.  63 

II.  After  their  names  have  been 
read  aloud,  the  bishop  or  elder  shall 
read  the  following  articles  to  all  who 
may  be  chosen  for  ordination  : 

"An  elder  must  be  blameless  as  the 
steTTard  of  God,  not  self-willed,  not 
sc^on  angry,  not  given  to  wine ;  no 
striker,  not  given  to  filthy  lucre ;  but 
a  lover  of  hospitality,  a  lover  of  good 
men;  sober, just, holy, temperate;  hold- 
ing fast  the  faithful  word  as  he  hath 
been  taught,  that  he  may  be  able,  by 
sound  doctrine,  both  to  exhort  and 
convince  the  gainsayers."     Titus  i,  7-9. 

Ques.  Do  you  trust  that  you  are  in- 
wardly moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost  to 
take  upon  you  the  office  of  the  min- 
istry, to  serve  God  in  the  Church  of 
Christ  to  the  honor  and  glory  of  his 
holy  name  ?    If  so,  answer,  I  trust  I  am. 

Qnes.  Do  you  believe  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  Old  and  New  Testament? 
If  so,  answer,  I  do  believe  them. 


64  UNITED   BRETHREN 

Ques.  Will  you  apply  due  diligence 
to  frame  and  fashion  your  life  accord- 
ing to  the  doctrines  of  Christ ;  and  to 
make  yourself,  as  much  as  in  you 
lieth,  a  wholesome  example  of  the 
flock  of  Christ  ?  If  so,  answer,  I  will, 
the  Lord  being  my  helper. 

Ques.  Will  you  obey  them  to  whom 
the  charge  and  government  over  you 
is  committed,  and  follow  their  godly 
admonitions  with  a  willing  and  ready 
mind?  If  so,  answer,  I  will  endeavor, 
through  the  grace  of  God,  to  do  so. 

Then  -prayer  is  to  he  offered. 

After  prayer,  the  bishop  and  elders 
shall  lay  their  hands  upon  the  head 
of  every  one  of  them,  and  say : 

"Take  thou  authority  to  execute  the 
office  of  an  elder  in  the  Church  of 
God,  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and 
of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
Amen." 

[Hereupon  the  bishop  or  elder  shall 


DISCIPLINE.  65 

deliver  to  every  one  of  them  the  Holy 
Bible,  saying :] 

"  Take  thou  authority  to  preach  the 
Word  of  God,  and  administer  the  or- 
dinances in  tlie  Church  of  Christ." 

[Then  the  bishop  or  elder  shall 
pray.  And  after  prayer  he  shall  read 
from  Luke  xii,  35-38]:  "Let  your 
loins  be  girded  about,  and  your  lights 
burning,  and  ye  yourselves  like  unto 
men  that  wait  for  their  Lord,  when  he 
shall  return  from  the  wedding ;  that, 
when  he  cometh  and  knocketh,  they 
may  open  unto  him  immediately. 
Blessed  are  those  servants  whom  the 
Lord  when  he  ''ometh  shall  find  watch- 
ing. Verily  I  say  unto  you,  that  he 
shall  gird  himself,  and  make  them  sit 
down  to  meat,  and  will  come  forth  and 
serve  them.  And  if  he  shall  come  in 
the  second  watch,  or  come  in  the  third 
watch,  and  find  them  so,  blessed  are 
those  servants."  [After  this  the  fol- 
5 


6Q  UNITED    BRETHREN 

lowing     benediction    is     to    be    pro- 
nounced :] 

The  "peace  of  God  keep  your  hearh 
and  minds  in  the  knowledge  of  Jesui 
Christ  aur  Lord.     Amen. 


SECTION   XV. 

ELDERS'  DUTIES. 

It  is  the  duty  of  an  elder  to  preach 
as  often  as  be  can  ;  to  baptize,  to  ad- 
minister the  Lord's  Supper,  solemnize 
marriages,  to  perform  all  parts  of  di- 
vine service,  to  be  an  example  to  the 
flock  of  Christ  by  imitating  his  moral 
example  ;  and  in  a  very  special  man- 
ner it  shall  be  the  duty  of  an  elder  to 
cherish  and  encourage  young  minis- 
ters, and  always  to  be  looking  for  those 
whom  God  has  called  to  preach,  and 
advise  them  to  take  up  the  cross,  and 
begin  the  work  without  delay,  that  the 


DISCIPLINE.  67 

labor  ot  this  Gospel  harvest  may  be 
faithfully  performed. 


SECTION   XVI.  I 

PRESIDmG  ELDERS. 

Ques.  "What  are  the  duties  of  a  pre- 
siding elder? 

Ans.  1.  To  travel  through  the  dis- 
trict appointed  him,  and  to  preach  as 
often  as  is  practicable. 

2.  He  shall  appoint  the  quarterly 
and  camp-meetings,  and  attend  them. 
He  shall  hold  quarterly  conferences, 
with  the  preachers,  exhorters,  leaders, 
stewards,  and  trustees,  and  administer 
the  ordinances  of  God's  house.  He 
shall  inquire  and  examine  whether  the 
preachers  do  their  duty,  preach  every 
Sabbath,  and  exhort  them  to  main- 
tain discipline  and  order,  love  and  se- 
riousness in  the  society. 


68  UNITED    BRETHREN 

3.  He  may  also,  in  conjunction  with 
two  elders,  preachers,  exliorters,  or 
leaders,  [one  from  each  circuit,]  change 
the  preachers  in  his  district. 

4.  Should  any  district  happen  to  be 
■without  a  presiding  elder,  information 
shall  be  immediately  given  to  a  bishop, 
who  shall  appoint  an  elder  to  preside 
in  said  district  until  the  ensuing  an- 
nual conference. 

SECTION   XVII. 
QUARTERLY  CONFERENCE. 

Ques.  1.  Who  are  the  members  oi 
the  quarterly  conference  ? 

Ans.  All  the  properly  recognized 
preachf  rs,  exhorters,  leaders,  stewards, 
and  trustees  of  meeting  and  parsonage- 
houses,  who  reside  within  the  bound? 
of  the  circuit  or  station. 

Ques.  2.  What  is  the  business  of  tbi 
quarterly  conference  ? 


DISCIPLINE.  69 

Ans.  1.  In  the  absence  of  the  pre- 
Hiding  elder,  the  quarterly  conference 
shall  elect  a  presiding  elder  j)ro  tem., 
whose  official  acts  shall  be  valid. 

2.  To  elect  a  secretary,  whose  duty 
it  shall  be  to  keep  a  correct  record 
of  all  their  proceedings  in  a  book 
provided  for  that  purpose,  in  v^hich 
the  names  of  all  the  members  com- 
posing the  said  conference  shall  be 
entered. 

3.  To  make  a  general  or,  if  neces- 
sary, particular  inquiry  into  the  moral 
deportment  and  official  character  of 
all  its  members. 

4.  To  receive  and  try  all  appeals, 
references,  and  complaints  that  may 
come  regularly  before  it ;  but  no  mem- 
ber of  quarterly  conference  can  be 
suspended  or  expelled  prior  to  a  com- 
mittee trial. 

5.  To  grant  license  to  exhort  or 
preach  to  such  as  may  have  been  rec- 


70  UNITED    BRETHREN 

ommended  by  at  least  two-thirds  of 
the  class  (in  each  case  a  recommenda- 
tion must  be  obtained)  of  which  they 
may  be  members ;  provided,  however, 
that  none  shall  receive  license  who 
can  not  give  satisfactory  evidence  of 
their  call,  experience,  soundness  in  doc- 
trine, and  attachment  to  our  Church 
and  government. 

6.  To  make  settlement  with  the 
stewards  and  traveling  preachers. 

7.  To  enforce  discipline  in  all  the 
classes  under  its  jurisdiction  ;  but  in 
no  case  to  disorganize  a  class  unless 
the  preliminary  steps  have  been  taken 
as  required  in  section  4   of  Discipline. 

8.  To  renew  the  license  of  exhort- 
ers  and  quarterly  conference  licensed 
preachers,  annually,  if  they  be  found 
worthy. 

9.  After  such  licentiate  preachers 
have  stood  in  that  capacity  one  or 
more  years,  the   quarterly  conference 


DISCIPLINE.  71 

may  recommeiid  tliem  to  tlie  annual 
conference. 

10.  All  preachers  recommended  to 
tlie  annual  conference,  and  not  re- 
ceived, may  sustain  tlieir  former  rela- 
tion. 

Ques.  3.  How  are  preachers  from 
other  societies  received? 

Ans.  If  they  come  to  us  with  cer- 
tificates of  good  standing  in  the  so- 
ciety in  which  they  have  had  mem- 
bership, and  give  satisfaction  to  the 
quarterly  conference  on  examination 
on  the  doctrine,  discipline,  govern- 
ment, and  usages  of  our  Church,  then 
quarterly  conference  may  license  them, 
with  the  understanding  that  the  quar- 
terly conference  relation  continue  for 
at  least  one  year,  (provided,  that  an 
elder  coming  to  us  shall  be  allowed  to 
perform  the  functions  of  an  elder  dur- 
ing his  probation,)  after  which,  if 
their  conduct  and  doctrine  be  in   ao- 


72  UNITED    BRETHREN 

cordance  witli  the  Gospel  of  Christ, 
they  may  be  received  into  the  annual 
conference  as  preachers,  or  elders,  as 
the  case  may  be. 

Ques.  4.  "What  directions  are  neces- 
sary in  case  of  appeals  ? 

Ans.  Any  exhorter  or  preacher,  dis- 
satisfied v,'ith  the  decision  of  a  quar- 
terly conference,  shall,  within  thirty 
days  after  the  quarterly  conference, 
notify  the  secretary,  in  writing,  of  his 
intention  to  appeal,  together  with  his 
reasons  for  so  doing ;  and  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  the  secretary  to  take  or 
send  a  certified  copy  of  the  proceed- 
ings, the  notification  and  reasons  as- 
signed, to  the  annual  conference.* 

*NoTE. — In  all  cases  of  appeal,  -whether 
to  the  quarterly,  annual,  or  General  Confer- 
ence, the  course  laid  down  in  this  section 
on  appeals  is  the  proper  course  to  be  pur- 
sued. 


DISCIPLINE.  73 

Qiies.  5.  Where  sliall  our  next  quar- 
)';erlj  conference  be  held  ? 

Ques.  6.  Is  there  any  thing  more  to 
36  done  ? 

All  exhorters  and  quarterly  confer- 
ence preachers  are  required  to  join 
some  convenient  class  ;  and,  upon  neg- 
lect or  refusal  to  do  so,  shall  lose  their 
official  relation. 

It  shall  also  be  the  duty  of  the 
quarterly  conference  to  open  and  close 
by  singing  and  prayer. 


SECTION  XVIII. 
OFFICIAL    MEETINGS    FOE    STATION'S. 

Ques.  1.  Who  are  the  members  of 
the  official  meeting? 

Ans.  1.  All  the  properly  recognized 
members  of  the  quarterly  conference. 

2.  The  preacher  in  charge  shall  be 
the  president  of  the  meeting;  and  in 


74  UNITED    BRETHREN 

his  absence  one  of  the  members  shall 
be  elected  president  pro  tern. 

Ques.  2.  What  is  the  business  of 
the  official  meeting? 

Ans.  1.  The  president  shall  call 
the  meeting  to  order,  and  begin  and 
conclude  with  prayer. 

2.  To  elect  a  secretary,  who  shall 
make  a  record  of  all  the  proceedings 
of  the  meeting. 

3.  To  receive  a  statement  from  each 
class-leader  in  reference  to  the  pros- 
perity of  religion  in  his  class. 

4.  To  receive  all  moneys  from  the 
stewards  that  have  been  collected  since 
the  last  meeting  for  the  preacher  in 
charge,  or  preachers,  and  pay  over  the 
same. 

5.  This  body  shall  meet  once  a 
month,  and  may  meet  oftener  if  cir- 
cumstances require. 

6.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  official 
meeting  to  receive  all  reports  of  sub- 


DISCIPLINE.  75 

scriptions,  and  moneys  collected  and 
disbursed  for  the  interest  of  the  sta- 
tion; and  all  persons  intrusted  with 
subscriptions  or  moneys  shall  report 
the  same  to  the  meeting  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible. 

7.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  official 
meeting  to  submit  its  doings  to  the 
quarterly  conference  for  examination 
and  approval. 


SECTION   XIX. 
TEIAL  OF  MEMBERS. 

Qices.  What  shall  be  done  when 
members  trespass  against  each   other  ? 

Ans.  "  If  thy  brother  shall  trespass 
against  thee,  go  and  tell  him  his  fault 
between  him  and  thee  alone ;  if  he 
shall  hear  thee,  thou  hast  gained  thy 
brother;  but  if  he  will  not  hear  thee, 
then  take  with  thee  one  or  two   more; 


76  UNITED    BRETHREN 

and  if  he  shall  neglect  to  hear  them, 
tell  it  unto  tlie  Church;  but  if  he  neg- 
lect to  heav  tiie  Church,  let  him  be 
unto  thee  as  a  heathen  man  and  a  pub- 
lican." 

Qucs.  What  shall  be  done  in  case 
of  members  accused  of  trespass  or  im- 
moral conduct? 

Ans.  The  class  shall  appoint  one  or 
more  to  visit  the  accused  brother  or 
member,  and,  if  possible,  reclaim  him  ; 
but  if  unsuccessful,  he  or  she  shall  be 
tried  by  the  class  to  which  they  be- 
long, or  a  select  number  thereof,  cho- 
sen by  the  parties  concerned,  with  the 
preacher  in  charge  of  the  circuit  or 
station,  who  shall  be  chairman;  and 
if  found  guilty,  the  accused  shall  be 
expelled,  unless  satisfaction  be  given 
by  an  expression  of  repentance  or 
otherwise.  Yet  cases  may  happen 
where  it  would  be  expedient  to  choose 
a  committee   from  any  other  class  or 


DISCIPLINE.  77 

« 

classes  tlian  the  one  lo  vvhieli  the  par- 
ties belong ;  also  an  ekler  may  be 
chosen  as  chairman,  should  the  preacher 
in  charge  deem  it  best  to  do  so.  But 
should  any  member  be  dissatisfied 
with  the  decision,  an  appeal  may  be 
had  to  the  quarterly  conference,  by 
giving  tfotice  thereof  to  the  preacher 
in  charge.  In  such  case,  however,  the 
same  persons  shall  not  sit  in  judgment 
on  the  same  case.  In  cases  of  neg- 
lect of  duty  of  any  kind,  imprudent 
conduct,  indulging  sinful  tempers  or 
words,  or  disobedience  to  the  order 
and  discipline  of  the  Church  :  First, 
let  private  reproof  be  given  by  the 
preacher  or  leader;  and  if  there  be 
an  acknowledgment  of  the  fault  and 
proper  humiliation,  the  person  may  be 
borne  with.  On  a  second  ofl'ense,  the 
preacher  or  leader  shall  take  with  him 
one  or  two  faithful  members.  On  a 
third  oiFense,  let  the   case  be  brought 


78  UNITED    BRETHREN 


* 


before  the  Church  or  class,  or  a  select 
committee ;  and  if  there  be  no  satis- 
factory humiliation,  the  offender  shall 
be  expelled. 

In  case  of  trial  under  this  clause, 
the  leader  shall  act  in  behalf  of  the 
Church ;  or  if  the  leader  be  the  offender, 
the  steward  shall  act  as  prosecutor. 

Ques.  What  shall  be  done  in  case 
of  disputes  between  the  members  or 
preachers  ? 

Ans.  The  preacher  to  whom  it  shall 
be  known  shall  inquire  into  the  cir- 
cumstances of  the  case,  and,  if  neces- 
sary, shall  recommend  to  the  contend- 
ing parties  a  reference,  consisting  of 
one  arbiter,  chosen  by  the  plaintiff, 
and  another  by  the  defendant,  and  a 
third  by  these  two;  then  these  three 
are  to  decide. 

But,  if  either  be  dissatisfied  with 
the  decision,  such  may  have  a  right  to 
an  appeal  to  the  next  quarterly  confer- 


DISCIPLINE.  79 

ence  for  a  second  arbitration,  where 
eacli  party  shall  choose  two  arbiters, 
and  the  four  shall  choose  a  fifth,  a  de- 
eision  of  the  majority  of  whom  shall 
be  final.  Any  person  refusing  to 
abide  by  this  decision,  and  every  mem- 
ber refusing,  in  case  of  debt  or  dis- 
pute, to  refer  the  matter  to  arbitration 
■when  recommended  to  him  by  a 
preacher  or  leader;  or  who  shall  enter 
into  a  lawsuit  with  another  member 
before  these  measures  are  taken,  shall 
be  expelled ;  except  when  the  case  is 
of  such  a  nature  as  to  require  and  jus- 
tify a  process  at  law,  as  executors  or 
administrators,  or  when  a  member  is 
in  danger  of  suffering  an  unexpected 
loss  of  property. 

Every  class-leader  shall  keep  a  rec- 
ord of  the  proceedings  of  Church  trials, 
deaths,  expulsions,  and  removals,  in  a 
book  provided  for  that  purpose  ;  and 
it  shall  be  his  duty,  in  case  of  an  ap- 


80  UNITED   BRETHREN 

peal,  to  send  his  record  to  the  quar- 
terly conference. 


SECTION    XX. 

IMMOEAL    CONDUCT    OF    PREACHERS. 

« 

Qiies.  What  shall  be  done  when  aii 
elder  or  preacher  is  reported  guilty  of 
immorality  ? 

Ans.  When  an  elder  or  preacher  iif 
charged  with  immoral  conduct,  tho 
preacher  to  whom  it  is  known  shall 
take  with  him  another  preacher,  ex- 
horter,  or  leader,  and  examine  into  the 
charge  ;  but,  as  tlie  Apostle  saitl\,  (1 
Tim.,  5th  chap.,  19th  verse)  :  "Receive 
not  an  accusation  against  an  elder 
but  before  two  or  three  witnesses." 
If  no  one  is  found  willing  to  prose- 
cute the  case,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of 
the  quarterly  conference  to  appoint 
one  or  more  persons  to  do  so.     Should 


DISCIPLINE.  81 

Hi  appear  be  is  justly  accused,  notice 

{thereof  shall    be    given    him,    and    a 

time  and    place   appointed  where  the 

tccuser  and  accused  shall  meet.     Then 

three   elders,    ox   on«    elder   and    two 

preachers,    shall    try    his     cage,    who 

i»re  to  be  '  appointed   by    the    pairties 

concerned,  each  party  appointing  one, 

ahd'  the   two    a    third.      Should   they 

^e  satisfied  that  the  accusation  is  sua- 

liaifaed.   then    the   accused    shall   hold 

his  pence  until  the  annual  conference, 

where  he   shall    be    accountable.      If 

the  accuHed  refuse  to  choose  kis  com- 

'4faifcfeee-man  when  properly  notified,  the 

^uai:ierly   conference  shall    choose    « 

^oond  person,  iand  these  two  a  third, 

which    committee    shall   try  the   case 

and'  decidcv     But  if  the   elder   be   a 

bishop,  he   shall   be  tried    by  the  iaii^ 

niial  Conference  within  whose   bounds 

the     cause    of    accusation     occurred!. 

Should  they  be  satisfied  that  the  ac*- 
6 


'S2  UNITED   BRETHREN 

ctiisitioti  is  sustained,  then  the  accused 
shall  hold  his  peace  until  the  aQn-mal 
conference,  where  he  shall  be  jiccount- 
able.  But  should  sufficient  satiafae- 
tion  be  giveo  by  an  expression  of 
repentance  or  otherwise,  he  iiiay  be 
retained.  But  should  the  accused 
preacher,  elder,  or  bishop  refuse  to  at- 
tend, after  having  been  notified  of  the 
tiiiie  and  place  of  trial,  he  shall  be 
suspended ;  and  the  committee  shall 
notify  him  to  appear  at  the  next  quai'- 
terly  or  annual  conference,  to  answer 
to  the  oharges'  preferred  against  him  ; 
and  if  he  fail  to  attend,  (unavoidable 
circumstances  excepted,)  he  shall,,  be 
suspended  or  expelled,  as  the  Confer- 
ence may  think  proper.  ,  vv 
Also,  if  the  accused  preachen.OT 
elder  be  a  member  of  the  annual  con- 
fierence,  the  presiding  elder  of  the  dis- 
trict upon  which  such  accused  preacher 
or  elder  lives,  or  of  the  adjoining  oue, 


DISCIPLINE.  83 

shall  act^as  chairnrian  on  the  trial;  jf 
he  be  a  member  of  the  quarterly,  co|^- 
fei;enee^.the  preacher  in  charge  of  the 
circuit  upon  which  he  lives,  or  tl^e 
next  nearest,  shall  sit  as  chairman  in 
trying  the  offense. 

ih^muy       ,   .SECTION   XXI.  ;     '        , 

>i!i57/ol5»REACHERS'  SALARIES.'    '^  ""^ 

y  j  If  The  j^nnual  allowance  of  a  trav- 
eling bishop  or  preacher,  if  ;he  has  no 
family,  shall  be  one  hundred  and  fifty 
.dollars,  and  his  traveling  expenses j 
^  he  has  a  family,  it  shall  be  three 
hundred  dollars,  his  traveling  exj- 
tpensesand  house  renit. ,     ,  ,.jj^ 

2.  jWhqn  an  itinerant  preacher  is  so 
circumstanced,  as  to  the  place  and  exr 
pense  of  living,  that  the  above  pror 
vision  will  not  meet  his  necessary 
wants — if  he  be  a  bishop,  it  shall  be 


64  UNITED    BRETHREN 

the  duty  of  the  General  Conference  to 
^grant  him  such  an  allowaiice,  addi- 
tional to  that  above  stated,  as  in  its 
■'judgment  will  supply  his  wants  ;  if  he 
'be  a  presiding  elder,  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  annual  conference  to  grant 
allowance  to  him,  as  in  the  case  of  the 
General  Conference  to  the  bishop ;  if 
he  be  a  circuit  or  stationed  preacher, 
it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  quarterly 
conference  to  grant  to  him  allowance 
additional  to  the  above  provisions ; 
iff  he  be  a  missionary  employed  by 
^ixt  annual  conference/it  shall  be  the 
tluty  of  the  annual  conference  to  grant 
such  allowance  to  the  provision  as 
above  stated ;  if  he  be  a  missionary 
employed  by  the  Board  of  Missioni^, 
the  Board  shall  grant  such  allowance" 
additional  to  the  salary  and  "house - 
rent  provision,  as  in  its  judgment  it 
shall  see  proper. 

3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  a  circuit 


DISCIPLINE.  85 

or  station^  when  a  preacher  is  sent  to 
it  by  annual  conference,  to  move  said 
preacher  on  such  circuit  or  station  at 
its  own  expense. 

Ques.  What  shall  be  done  for  the 
needy, super^n^nuated,  or  worn-out  trav- 
eling preachers,  and  their  widows  and 
orphans?  'Jri/AJ-* 

Ans.  The  annual  conferences  to 
which  they  respectively  belong  shall 
make. provision  for  them. 

iiu.   lih 

SECTION  XXII. 

SECRET  SOCIETIES.  .;.;,fi 

We  believe  that  secret  societies  are 
evil  in  their  nature  and  tendency  j 
(a  secret  society  is  one  whose  initia- 
tory ceremony  or  bond  of  union  is  a 
secret;)  and  any  member  or  preacher 
of  our  Church  who  shall  be  found  con- 
nected, in  any  way,  with   such  a  sof- 


86  UNITED   BRETHREN 

ciety,  shall  be  dealt  with,  as  in  case 
of  other  immorality,  according  to  sec- 
tions nineteen  and  twenty  of  Disci- 
pline, respectively. 


SECTION   XXIII. 

SLAVERY. 

'  All  slavery,  in  every  sense  of  the 
word,  is  totally  prohibited,  and  shall 
in  no  way  be  tolerated  in  our  Church. 
Should  any  be  found  in  our  society 
who  hold  slaves,  they  can  not  continue 
as  members  unless  they  do  personally 
"manumit  or  set  free  such  slaves. 

And  when  it  is  known  to  any  of  our 
'ministers  in  charge  of  a  circuit,  sta- 
tion, or  mission,  that  any  of  its  mem- 
bers hold  a  slave  or  slaves,  he  shall 
admonish  such  members  to  manu- 
mit such  slave  or  slaves ;  and  if  sucb 
persons  do  not  take  measures  to  carry 


.^     .j„]DISCIPLINEv  87 

.<^ut  the  discipline,  they  ^ball  be  ex- 
pelled by  the  proper  authorities  of  the 
Church ;  and  any  minister  refusing  to 
attend  to  the  duties  above  described, 
shall  be  dealt  with  by  the  authorities 
to  which  he  is  amenable:    . 


SECTION  XXIV. 
WAR. 


We  most  positively  record  our  dis- 
approval of  engaging  in  voluntary, 
national,  aggressive  warfare ;  yet  we 
recognize  the  rightful  authority  of  the 
civil  government,  and  hold  it  responsi- 
ble for  the  preservation  and  defense 
of  our  national  compact,  against  trea- 
son, or  invasion  by  any  belligerent 
force  ;  and  we  believe  it  to  be  entirely 
consistent  with  the  spirit  of  Christian- 
ity, to  bear  arms  when  called  upah  to 
do  so 'by  the  properly-constituted  au- 


'ids  UNITED    BRETHREN 

r 

thorities   of   our  government, 'for    U« 
" preservatioti  ahd  defense.  i'.'!^i>ci 

0  .  il-jTijiiL) 

.;.  ..        i  ot   hnGiia 

SECTION  .XXV.  ,. 

DOCTEINAL  PUBLICATIOlNSi  ■■' 

No  one  of  our  preachers  or  laymen 
shall  become,  4^]jiie,.^^thor  of  any  doc- 
trinal book  or  paraph  let,  in  a  printed 
form,  in  the  nanie  of  the  Church,  with- 
out the  approbation  of  the  annual,  con- 
ference, or  of  a  committee  chosen  by 
iKe  same.  And  if  any  preacher 'or 
layman  violates  this  rule,  he  sliall  be 
accountable  to  the  brass,  or  the  quar- 
terly or  annual  conference,  as  the  case 
may  be. 

iiiO!  .'  SECTION  XXVI. 

.  OATHS. 

We  believe  that  the  mode  of  testify- 
ing to  the  truth  when  required  so  to 


DISCIPLINE.  8P 

do  in  a  legal  fofin,  1l3y  \vhy  of  affirma- 
tio^iaiQO  u8'Sofernnly,  congciewliously, 
and  fully  bindiii^,  before  God,  to  tell 
the,  truth,  the  whole  truth,  and  nothing 

hut  the  truth,    .  , 

lo  ji  j\),  .Jilt  iu  liif,  '  .  •' 

•rirooi;  SECTIOKiflaXVIIi       ■•:     Fiff 

ARDENT  SPIRITS. 

i?The  distilling,  vending,  and  xise  of 
aurdebt  spirits  as  a  beverage  shall  be, 
and  is  hereby  forbidden  througth'OUt 
vQur  society;  and  should  any  of*our 
members  or  preachers  be  found  guilty 
tm  this  respect,  they  shall  be  dealt 
with  as  in  case  of  other  immoralities; 
-provided,  however,  that  this  rule  shall 
not  be  so  construed  as  to  prevent  drtig- 
^gisjts  and  others  from  vending  or  using 
it  for  medicinal  or  mechanical  pur- 
poses. ' 


90  UNITED   BRETHREN 

SECTION  XXVIII. 

. 'i-f'NECESSITY  OF  UNlON  AMONd"'^ 
,'oj  OURSELVES.  -ar. 

.    , :  r ,  ' , 

'  Let  us  be  deeply  sensible  (from 
what  wfe  have  known)  of  the  evil  of  a 
division  in  principle,  spirit  or  practice, 
and  of  the  dreadful  consequences  to  our- 
selves and  others.  If  we  are  united, 
what  can  s'and  before  us?  If  we  are 
divided,  we  shall  injure  ourselves,  the 
work  of  God,  and  the  souls  of  our 
.peolple. 

•  !   .What  can   be   done  in  order  to   a 
closer  union  with  each  other  ? 
lif  It  Let  us    be  deeply  convinced  of 
.th«  absolute  necessity  of  it. 
'  .2.    Pray    earnestly    for,    and..Bpea)c 
truly  and  freely  to  each  other.    >  I  totT 

3.  When  we  meet,  let  us  never  paii 
without  prayer,  when  practicable.      J/ 

4.  Take  great  care   not  to   despise 
each  other's  gifts. 


DISCIPLINE.  91 

5.    Never    speak    lightly    of   each 


other. 


6.  Let  us  defend  each  other  s  ch 


ar- 

acter  in  every  thine,  so  far.as^  is  con- 
sistent  with  truth. 

7.  Labor  in  honor,  each  preferring 
another  before  himself. 

8.  We  recommend  a  serious  exam- 
ination of  the  causes,  evils,  and  ^curea 
of  heart  and  Church  diV|isions,   . 


SECTION  XXIX. 

•,•.,1'  :... 

VISITING  FROM  HOUSE  TO  HOUSE,  AND 
ENFORCING  PRACTICAL  RELIGION. 

•Ques.  How  can  we  further  assist 
those  under  our  care?  ,r. 

Ans.  By  instructing  them  at  their 
OWQ  houses,  which  is  necessary  to  pro- 
mote confidence  and  communion  with 
God'  among  us,  to  wean  us  from  the 
love  of  the  world,  and  to  inure  us  to  a 


92       ^  UNITED   BRETHREN 

life  of  heavenly-mindediiess ;  also,  to 
encourage  us  to  strive  after  and  prac- 
tice brotherly  love,  that  no  evil  think- 
ing or  judging  of  one  ariotlier  be  found 
among  us;  and  lastly,  that  v^e  may 
learn  to'  do  as  we  wpuld  wish  to  be 
done  by. 

"'2.'  Every  preacher  should  mate  it 
ciis  duty  to  instruct  the  people  on  every 
occasion,  both  public  and  private,  and 
exhort  them  to  be  diligent  in  all  good 
works  and  doctrine.  Until  this  be 
done,  and  that  in  sincerity,  we  shall, 
titipxDn  the  whole,  be  of  but  little  use. 
and  our  good  shall  be  evil  spoken  of; 
therefore,  wherever  we  may  be,  we 
should  guatd  against  useless  and  ■  idle 
conversation. 

'Undoubtedly  this  private  applica- 
tion of  visiting  from  house  to  house, 
and  exhorting  the  people,  is  found  or 
implied  in  these  solemn  words  of  the 
apostle  : 


DISCIPLINE. 

--  ii'iuAnn  urn/.  ) 

^  'I  charge  thee,  theiefore,  before 
Go<i,  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who 
shall  judge  the  quick  and  the  dead  at 
his  appearing  and  his  kingdom  j  preach 
the  word;  be  instant  in  season,  out  of 
season ;  reprove,  rebuke,  exhort  with 
all  long  Buflfering  and  doctrine."  2 
Tim.  4:  1,  2.  . 


';   '  SECTION  XXX. 

8ABBATH.SCH00L6. 

1.  What  shall  be  doTie  to  benefit  the 
rising  generation  ?  i      i 

Ans.  Let  him  who  is  in  any  way 
eealous  for  God  and  the  souls  of  men 
begin  the  work  immediatelj.  Wher- 
ever children  arp  /ound,  speak  freely 
to  them  and  instruct  them  diligently; 
^exhort  them  to  be  good,  and  pray  with 
them  earnestly,  yet  simply  and  plainly, 
that  th^y  may   learn  ,to^  know   their 


94  UNITED    BRETHREN 

Creator  and  Redeemer  in,  tne  days  of      1 
their  youth.         ,  .  , 

2.  I^or.the  piore  harnjonious  and 
guccessful  operation  of  this  good  work, 
,we  woul/J  present  the  following 


CONSTITUTION  AND  BY-LAWS. 

Art.  I. 

This  shall  be  called,  the  Sabbath- 
Bchool  Association  of  the  United 
Brethren'in  Christ.        *    ' 

Sec.  1.  The  general  officers  of  inis 
Association  shall  consist  of  a  Siyper- 
intendent,  Treasurer,  and  Secretary. 
They  shall  be  elected  by  the  General 
Conference  of  our  Church,  and  shall 
be  responsible  to  that  body  for  their 
official  conduct.  ,  Should  the  office  of 
'fisher  tKe,  Secretary  or  Treasurer  be- 
come  vacant,  the  General  Superintend- 


DISCIPLINE.  95 

cnt  sliall  appoint  a  suitable  person  to 
fill  such  vacancy ;  should  the  Geineral 
Superintendent's  office  heconi6  vacint, 
then  the  bishop  in  whose  district  sudh 
office  is  located  shall  appoint  ji  suitable 
person  to  fill  suc^h  Vacartdy.      -'"'i'^^*^"'^ 

Sec.  2.  The  Greneral  Superinte*Ad'e]dt 
shall  be  editor  of  all  papers*  boo'ts, 
and  tracts  published  bythis  iA.ssbcia- 
tion.  He  shall  sign  all  orders  on  the 
Treasurer,  and  on  his  order  only  shall 
any  funds  bd  paid  oiit  of  the  treasury. 

Sec.  3.  The  Treasurer  shall  receive 
and  hold  in  trust  all  the  funds  beloti^- 
ing  to  the  Association,  subject  to  ttie 
order  of  the  Generkr  ^uperintenaent. 
He  shall  give  sufficient;  seeurfty  for  the 
funds  coming  into  his  hands. 

Sec.  4.  The  Secretary  shall  kie^p^a 
record  of  all  the  business  transactions 
of  the  Association,  and  conduct  its 
carrespondence. 


J.' 


UNITED    BRETHREN 


Art.  III. 

Sec.  1.  The  ^bove  general  officers 
shall  also  constitute  a  publishing  com- 
ipittee,  who  sha-ll  solicit,  i:eceiYe,  €|:f  • 

.lunine  and  ,deci(Je,,; favorably  or  un- 
favorably, upoti  all  ;manuscript,  book« 

^jpr.  tracts  received;  if  favorable,  .pass 
the  same  into  the  hands  of  the  Ge&- 
^4  Sj;peJ:i|ite^d,ei^t  |(?F,ppbljcatioii,afi 

•,f{}    11.)  :     'i  u-    -lA-Ri^^'lt*"  '■  ■  ''       -''''^^ 

Sec.  1.  The  funds  coming;  into  tht 
treasury  of  this  Association  (as  shall 
J)e  prgvided  hereafter)  shall  be  used  at 

,  1.  One-fourth  of  all>  such  funds  re 
cejved  shall  he  set  apart  annually. 
to  constitute  a  publication  find,  a:^ 
shall  oply  be  used  to  pay  fwr  rnnnu- 
Bcrij)t  or  .copyright  hpaks  or.  tir^j^U 
suitable  for  Sabbath-schools  and  theil 
publication,  and  the  publicatipn  .9^  i 
Sabbath-school  paper. 


DISCIPLINl,.  97 

2.  Such  funds  shall  bfe  tised  to  aa- 
sist  ill  organizing  Sabbath-schools  in 
localities  where  our  Church  has  not  a 
sufficient  membership  to  bear  the  nec- 
eesary  expenses  of  a  Sabbath-school. 
When  such  help  is  needed,  the  friends 
faTorable  to  the  system  of  this  Asso- 
ciation shall  meet  and  adopt  the  rules 
and  regulations  provided  by  and  at- 
tached to  this  constitution,  for  the 
government  of  Sabbath-schools,  etc., 
and  organize,  by  electing  a  suitable 
person,  belonging  to  the  United  Breth- 
ren Church,  if  practicable,  for  the  Su- 
perintendent; and  make  a  statement 
in  writing,  embracing  the  following 
items :  1.  The  fact  and  proceedings 
of  such  organization.  2.  The  number 
of  persons   that  would   likely  attend. 

3.  The  number  of  such  persons   that 
belong  to  the  United  Brethren  Church. 

4.  The   location  of  such  place,  town- 
ship,  county,  and   state,  and   also   the 

7 


9S  UNITED   BRETHREN 

conference,  circuit,  station,  or  mission, 
embracing  such  plan  and  organization. 
5.  The  amount  of  help  needed,  num- 
ber of  books,  papers,  etc.  6.  The 
post-office  address  of  the  Superintend- 
ent elected.  This  statement  to  be 
signed  by  the  Superindent  elected,  and 
a  minister  of  good  standing  in  our 
Church,  and  forwarded  to  the  General 
Secretary,  who,  in  connection  with  the 
General  Superintendent,  shall  exam- 
ine its  merits,  and  if  considered  worthy, 
the  General  Superintendent  shall  issue 
his  order  on  the  Treasurer  for  the 
amount  required,  whereupon  ther  Gen- 
eral Secretary  shall  order,  to  the  ad- 
dress of  the  Superintendent  elected, 
such  books,  papers,  etc.,  specified  in 
the  application,  as  near  as  possible. 
Should  such  amount  stated,  however, 
appear  too  large  for  the  use  of  such 
school,  a  less  amount  may  be  for- 
warded; such  help  always  to  be  fur- 


DISCIPLINE.  99 

nished,  where  possible,  from  our  own 
publications  and  printing  establish- 
ment. 

3.  The  balance  remaining  in  the 
Treasury,  at  the  end  of  every  four 
years,  shall  be  paid  to  the  Treasurer 
of  the  Missionary  Society  of  our 
Church.  * 

Art.  V. 

Sec.  1.  Every  Sabbath-school  or- 
ganization under  this  system  shall 
meet  on  the  second  Sunday  evening 
of  each  month,  for  prayer,  conference, 
o«*  concert,  inviting  all  those  friendly 
to  the  good  cause  to  meet  with  them ; 
a  public  collection  to  be  taken  before 
such  meeting  is  dismissed.  Where 
such  meetings  are  not  practicable,  a 
penny  collection  to  be  taken  every 
Sabbath  in  Sabbath -school ;  such  col- 
lection to  be  paid  to  the  station  or 
circuit  preacher  at  least  once  a  year, 
and  by  him  reported  and  paid  to  the 


100  UNITED   BRETHREN 

annual  conference  of  which  he  is  a 
member,  and  by  said  conference  to  be 
forwarded  to  the  General  Treasurer. 
Where  s^uch  Sabbath-school  is  not 
within  the  bounds  of  aoy  station,  cir- 
cuit, or  mission,  such  collections  must 
be  forwarded  directly  to  the  General 
Treasurer  by  ^he  Superintendent  of 
said  school. 

Art.  VI. 

Sec.  1.  iHach  annual  conference 
shall,  at  some  suitable  time  during 
their  annual  session,  hold  a  Sabbath- 
.school  convention,  deliver  addresses, 
relate  experience,  pass  resolutions,  etc., 
to  help  the  good  cause;  and,  before 
closing,  take  up  a  public  collection,  to 
be  added  to  the  general  fund,  and  for 
warded  to  the  Treasurer, 

Art.  VII. 

Sec.  1.  The  general  officers  of  thii 
Association  shall  publish  a  statemem 


Z^^''' DISCIPLINE.  101 

annually  of  their  doings,  and  the  con- 
dition of  things  in  connection  with 
their  several  offices,  in  the  Religious 
Telescope,  or  in  some  other  suitably 
form.  The  necessary  expenses  to  con- 
duct the  business,  and  also  a  reason- 
able compensation  to  the  general  offi- 
cers for  the  necessary  labor  performedl 
in  'doing  the  business,  shall  be  paid 
out  of  the  general  fund  ;  such  com- 
pensation to  be  determined  upon  by 
the  General  Conference. 

.,,,   rx    .    Art.  VIII. 

Sec.  1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  all 
o«ir  preachers,  whether  traveling  oe? 
local,  to  use  their  influence  in  favor  of 
this  important  enterprise;  and  thos^^ 
in  charge  of  a  circuit  mission,  or  sta- 
ti'<!>n,  shall  preach  a  sermon,  at  each 
appointment,  on  the  importance  of 
Sabbath-schools,  setting  forth  theiy 
claims  on  parents  and  children,  and  os 


J. 02  UNITED    BRETHREN 

the  community  in  general ;  and  shall 
report  to  their  several  conferences  the 
following  statistics :  1.  The  number 
of  schools  organized  under  this  system. 

2.  The   number  of  scholars  enrolled. 

3.  The  number  of  teachers  appointjed. 

4.  The  amount  of  money  collected  for 
the  general  fund.  Such  statistics  to 
be  forwarded  to  the  General  Secretary, 
and  the  money  to  be  forwarded  to  the 
General  Treasurer. 

Art.  IX. 

In  addition  to  the  above  Constitu- 
tion, Sabbath-schools  organizing  under 
this  system  shall,  for  their  own  local 
regulation,  adopt  the  following 

BY-LAWS. 

Sec.  I.  This  Sabbath-school  shall  be 
auxiliary  to  the  Sabbath-school  Asso- 
eiation  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ. 


DISCIPLINE.  103 

Sec.  II.  All  persons  whose  names 
are  recorded  on  the  receiving- book  or 
register,  and  have  become  generally 
attentive,  shall  be  considered  members 
of  this  school. 

Sec.  III.  The  officers  of  this  Sab- 
bath-school shall  consist  of  a  Super- 
intendent, Secretary,  and  Librarian, 
each  to  continue  in  office  until  his 
successor  is  duly  elected  or  appointed. 

Sec.  IV.  The  Superintendent,  Sec- 
retary, and  Librarian  shall  be  elected 
annually,  by  ballot  or  otherwise,  as 
may  be  considered  best;  members  of 
the  school  present,  twelve  years  of  age 
and  upward,  shall  be  entitled  to  vote. 

Sec.  V.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
Superintendent, 

'  '  li  To  open  and  close  the  school  by 
l^eligious  exercises.     • 

2.  To  properly  class  the  school,  and 
select  and  appoint  from  its  members 
auitable  persons  for  teachers. 


104  UNITED   BRETHREN 

3.  To  take  a»d  have  charge  of -the 
school  and  all  its  interests  during  tliM9 
term  of  his  office.  i  ^■-■■a-n 

^r.M  To  take  charge  of  and  hold  in 
trust  all  the  funds  of  the  Sabbath- 
school,  and  appropriate  the  same  to  its 
purposes. 

.  ;  6..  In  case  of  temporary  absence,  he 
»hall  appoint  some  suitable  person  to 
take  his  place. 

Sec.  VI.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
Secretary,  i 

1.  To  record  the  names  of  all  the 
members  of  this  Sabbath-school  in  the 
receiving-book  or  register. 

2.  To  record  in  a  permanent  form 
the  proceedings  of  elections,  and  ap- 
pointment of  officers.  i     -M^ur 

3.  To  keep  a  correct  account  of  all 
verses  recited  from  memory  .biy»ieAftl^ 
scholar.  ::i   ; '"   .^' 

Sec.  YII.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of 
the  Librarian, 


/  r?  DISCIPLINE.  105 

1.  To  take  charge  of  and  keep  in 
proper  order  the  library  belonging  to 
the  Sabbath-school. 

.2.  To  Supply  froiji  th^e  library  im- 
partially all  teachers,  at  their  sfeats, 
"with  such  books  as  may  be  suitable 
for  their  classes,  and  keep  a  correct 
account  with  each  member  for  books 
rd^eiyed  and  returned. 

Sec.  VIII.  The  Superinteudent  in 
office  shall  announce  the  time  of  hold- 
ing the  annual  elections  of  this  Sab- 
bath-school one  week  previous  to  thd 
time  of  the  expiration  of  his  office. 
Should  the  Superintendent  elected  at 
any  time  refuse  or  neglect  to  discharg9 
his  duties,  as  described  in  ^■'ec.  5,  this 
school  may  proceed  to  elect  another; 
socht), election-  however,  not  to  be  held 
without  first  a  consultation  being  had 
with  such  Superintendent,  by  the  Sec- 
retary; then,  if  further  delinquent,  th« 
Secretary  shall  declare  said  office  va- 


106  UNITED   BRETHREN 

cant,  and  a  Superintendent  shall  be 
elected,  as  provided  in  Sec.  4  of  these 
By-laws. 

Sec.  IX.  The  teachers  of  this  Sab- 
bath-school shall  endeavor  to  be  stu- 
dious, prompt,  impartial,  watchful,  and 
diligent;  take  seats  with  their  classes 
promptly,  and  remain  with  them  dur- 
ing school  hours ;  keep  order  in  tlfeir 
classes,  and  most  especially  during  re- 
ligious exercises ;  hear  their  lessons, 
and  give  good  moral  and  religious  in- 
struction. 

Sec.  X.  The  Superintendent  may  at 
any  time  appoint  a  suitable  person  or 
persons  to  solicit  donations  for  the 
purchase  of  books,  or  any  other  neces- 
sary help  for  the  Sabbath-school,  to  b^B 
used  in  the  school,  or  distributed  aa 
gifts,  prizes,  rewards,  etc. 


1^.1 ;.  DISCIPLINE.  ;4<W 


SECTION   XXXI 

9Et?ER  TO  BE  OBSERVED  IN  BUILDIN8 
'  '     "  MEETING-HOUSES. 

*t^  Que».'  Is  any  thing  advisable  in  re- 
gard to  the  building  of  meeting- 
houses? 

Ans,  Let  all  our  meeting-houses  b« 
built  plain  and  neat,  with  free  seats, 
and  not  more  expensive  than  neces- 
sary. 

Ques.  To  whom  are  our  meeting- 
houses, and  the  premises  belonging  to 

..them,  to  be  deeded? 

uif  Ans.  To  a  board  of  trustees,  and 
their  successors  in  office,  in  trust,  as 
property  of  the  Church  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ. 

'>*f  Ques.  How  is  the  board  of  trustees 
to  be  constituted?     i 

Ans.  Whenever  it  is  contemplated 
b^i  a  society  to  purchase  or  build  a 


'V6S  UNITED  BRETHREN 

meetiug-house,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of 
a  leader  or  steward  of  such  society  to 
make  it  known  to  the  q^uarterly  con- 
ference of  the  circuit  or  station  to 
which  he  belongs,  whose  duty  it  shall 
bis  to  appoint  a  judicious  board  of 
trustees,  of  not  less  than  three  in 
number,  or  as  the  law  of  the  state  in 
''which  said  house  is  to  be  built  may 
direct ;  provided,  however,  that  none 
be  required  to  serve  more  than  four 
years,  unless  indispensably  necessary. 
No  person  shall  be  eligible  as  a  trus- 
tee for  any  of  Our  meeting-houses  who 
is  not  a  regular  member  of  our  Church, 
except  in  cases  where  the  law  of  the 
state  makes  it  necessary.  /.rd: 

''    ''^^«e«.  How  are  the  trustees  to  pro- 
ceed in  building  a  house?  '  an7)ii'>iH 

A718.  No  society  shall  ccMmence  the 
building  of  any  meeting-house  wit^oui 
first  getting  an  act  of  incorporatioUj 
where  the  law  of  the  state  requires  it. 


DISCIPLINE.  100  - 

They  shall  form  an  estimate  of  the 
amount  necessary  to  procure  a  lot,  to 
buiild,  and  to  make  such  other  im- 
provements as  may  be  conceived  nec- 
essary. And  they  shall  at  no  time 
proceed  with  the  building  of  a  house 
of  worship  beyond  the  means,  either 
in  hand,  or  sufficiently  secured,  so  as 
to  avoid  involving  our  houses  of  wor- 
ship in  any  w&f  in  debt ;  and  also 
secure  a  lawful  title  for  the  lot  upon 
which  they  intend  to  build. 

The  trustees  shall  hold  annual  meet^  . 
ings,  and  keep  a  fair  and  regular  rec-* 
ord  of  the  transactions  of  the  board, 
in  a  book  provided  for  that  purpose, 
which  shall  at  all  times  be  open  for 
inspection  by  the  quarterly  conference 
of  said  circuit  or  station. 

To    take    charge    of   the    meeting- 
house, property,    furniture,    premises,."-* 
burial-grounds,  etc. 

Ques.  What  shall  be  done  whew  a 


110  UNITED   BRETHREN 

vacancy  or  vacancies  occur  in  the 
board  of  trustees? 

Ans.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
quarterly  conference  to  appoint  a  suit- 
able person  or  persons  to  fill  such 
vacancies. 

Ques.  What  shall  be  done  when  any 
of  our  houses  are  vacant? 

Ans.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
quarterly  conference  o#the  nearest  cir- 
cuit or  station  to  appoint  not  less 
than  three  suitable  persons  for  trus- 
tees, who  shall  have  the  power,  when 
authorized  by  two-thirds  of  the  mem- 
bers of  that  conference,  to  lease,  rent, 
or  sell  such  meeting-house,  and  the 
appurtenances  belonging  to  it;  and  to 
appropriate  the  money  arising  from 
such  lease,  rent,  or  sale,  by  the  direc- 
tion of  said  conference,  toward  the 
erection  of  new  meeting-houses,  or  the 
liquidation  of  debts  on  old  ones.  If 
the  vacated  house  be  a  parsonage,  its 


DISCIPLINE.  Ill 

proceeds  shall  be  applied  to  a  like 
purpose. 

The  above  rules  to  be  observed  in 
purchasing  or  building  parsonage- 
houses. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  our  presid- 
ing elders,  as  soon  as  convenient,  to 
appoint,  or  see  that  three  or  five  suit- 
able persons  are  appointed,  with  the 
consent  of  the  quarterly  conference,  to 
take  up  subscriptions  to  build  or  pur- 
chase parsonage-houses  for  their  re- 
spective stations  or  circuits,  the  same 
to  be  deeded  to  those  three  or  five 
trustees,  and  their  successors  in  office, 
for  the  use  of  the  Church  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ.  We  command  that 
all  our  parsonage-houses  be  plain,  and 
located  in  some  central  place. 

Note. — The  trustees  should  be  careful  in. 
all  cases  to  have  deeds  of  conyeyance  le- 
gally executed,  and  recorded  in  the  county 
records  where  the  property  is;   that  is,  to 


112  UNITED   BRETHREN 

hav0  tlie  'doccL  made  to  tliem  and  their  suc- 
cessors in  office,  in  trust,  for  the  Church 
of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ;  and  to 
erect  and  build,  or  cause  to  be  built,  a 
house  of  worship  for  the  miembers  of  said 
Church. 


SECTION   XXXII. 

smama 

We  believe  it  to  be  the  duty  of  all 
the  people  of  God  to  sing  his  praises ; 
and  to  sin";  them  in  the  sreat  cona-re- 
gation  as  well  as  in  the  piliyate  circle. 
We  therefore  kindly  forbid  the  intro- 
duction of  choirs,  or  instrumental 
music,  into  any  of  our  churches;  but 
we  would  earnestly  recommend  to  all 
our  people  the  cultivation  of  vocal 
music,  so  that  the  singing  in  our  con- 
gregations may  be  improved. 


DISCIPLINE.  113 


SECTION  XXXIII. 

CO'NSTITUTION    OF  THE    M13SI0NARY 
SOCIETY.  ^ 

I.  This  society  shall  be  called  the 
^Home,  Frontier,  and  Foreign  Mis- 
sionary/ Society  of  tlie  U^iited  Brethren 
in  Christ,"  and  is  organized  for  ih% 
purpose  of  aiding  the  annual  confer- 
ences in  extending  their  missionary  la- 
bors throughout  the  country,  and  into 
foreign  and  heathen  lands. 

II.  The  payment  of  ten  dollai's  at 
one  time  shall  constitute  a  life  mem- 
ber, or  fifty  dollars  at  one  time  a  life 
director.  No  certificate  of  life-mem- 
bership or  life-directorship  shall  b« 
granted  until  the  full  amount  is  paid. 

III.  The  officers  of  this  society 
shall  consist  of  a  President,  three 
Vice-Presidents,  Secretary,  Treasurer, 
and  six  Directors,  who,  together,  shall 

8 


114  UNITED    BRETHREN 

constitute  a  Bonrd  of  Directors ;  and 
fhall  be  elected  every  four  years  by 
the  General  Conference. 

IV.  The  president  shall  preside  at 
all  meetings  of  the  board,  and  shall 
have  power,  in  conjunction  with  tbe 
secretary,  to  call  special  meetings.  In 
the  absence  of  the  president,  one  of 
the  vice-presidents  shall  fill  his  place. 

V.  The  secretary  shall  keep  a  cor- 
rect record  of  all  the  proceedings  of 
the  society,  conduct  its  correspond- 
ence, and  devote  himself  exclusively 
to  the  interests  of  the  society.  He 
shall  keep  a  record  of  all  the  life  mem- 
bers, life  directors,  legacies,  etc.,  etc. 
He  shall  also  make  out,  and  publish, 
under  the  direction  of  the  board,  an 
annual  report  of  the  whole  missionary 
work;  also  a  quadrennial  report  to  the 
General  Conference.  His  salary  shall 
be  determined  by  the  board,  according 
to  the  Discipline. 


DISCIPLINE.  115 

VI.  The  treasurer  shall  hold  the 
funds  of  the  society,  subject  to  the 
order  of  the  board,  and,  at  the  discre- 
tion of  the  boa115i  devote  himself  ex- 
clusively to  the  Tnterests  of  the  Mis- 
sionary Society. 

YII.  The  board  of  directors  shall 
hold  annual  meetings;  have  power  to 
appoint  an  executive  committee,  con- 
sisting of  five  members;  make  by- 
laws to  regulate  its  own  business;  ap- 
propriate money  to  defray  incidental 
expenses ;  employ  missionaries  and 
agents ;  open  new  missions ;  employ 
laborers  for  mission  conferences  ;  dis- 
solve mission  conferences  ;  fill  vacancies 
in  its  own  body  ;  in  connection  with  the 
bishops,  OT  any  one  of  them,  ordain  miti- 
isters  to  the  ofl&ce  of  elder  ;  and  publish, 
at  our  own  press,  such  matter  as  the 
cause  may  from  time  to  time  demand. 

VIII.  Each  missionary  in  the  era- 
ploy  of  the   board  shall  report  quar- 


116  UNITED   BRETHREN 

terly  to  the  secretary  the  condition  of 
fcis  mission  ;  and  no  missionary  shall 
be  entitled  to  his  salary  who  shall  neg- 
lect 'to  comply  with  this  requirement. 
The  presiding  elders  of  mission  con- 
ferences shall  report  quarterly  the  con- 
dlition  of  their  respective  works. 

IX.  Each  conference  shall  be  con- 
sidered a  branch  of  this  society,  and 
shall  elect  a  treasurer  and  secretary. 
1.  The  branch  treasurer  shall  hold 
the  funds  designed  for  the  board,  sub- 
ject to  its  order.  2.  The  branch  sec- 
retary shall  keep  a  record  of  the  pro- 
cpedings  of  the  annual  conference  in 
relation  to  home,  frontier,  and  foreign 
missions,  separately,  and  report  the 
same,  within  one  month  after  the  ses- 
sion of  the  conference,  to  the  secretary 
of  the  board.  He  shall  also  record 
the  names  of  life  members  and  life  di- 
rectors, and  transmit  them  to  the  sec- 
retary of  the  parent  board.  r- 


DISCIPLINE.  117 

The  brancli  secretaries  shall  be  re- 
sponsible to  their  respective,  annual 
oonftrences  for  the  faithful  discharge 
of  their  duties. 

Each  of  our  Sabbath-schools  is  here- 
by constituted  an  auxiliary  to  the 
branch  society  within  whose  limits  it 
is  located ;  and  the  superintendent, 
secretary,  and  treasurer  of  the  Sab- 
bath-school shall  be  president,  secre- 
tary, and  treasurer  of  the  said  aux- 
iliary, and  shall  report  annually, 
through  the  preacher  in  charge,  to 
the  branch  society. 

Any  person  may  become  a  life  mem- 
ber of  the  auxiliary  by  the  payment 
of  three  dollars. 

X.  The  branch  societies,  or  indi- 
vidual members,  may  specify  to  what 
particular  portion  of  the  work  their 
funds  shall  be  applied  ;  provided,  how- 
ever, that  if  more  is  thus  designated 
than  is  necessary  for  the  work  sped- 


118  UNITED    BRETHREN 

fied,  it  may  be  applied  to  some  other 
work,  as  the  board  shall  determine. 

XI.  Each  branch  society  shall  have 
the  exclusive  management  of  the  home 
missions  within  it  own  limits. 

XII.  Treasurers  of  the  parent  board 
and  of  the  branch  societies  shall  give 
approved  security. 

XIII.  All  bequests  or  donations, 
the  interest  of  which  is  to  go  to  mis- 
sionary purposes,  made  to  any  of  the 
above  societies,  shall  be  kept  sacred. 

Form  of  JBequest. — I  give  and  be- 
queath to  the  Home,  Frontier,  and 
Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ,  organized 
hy  the  General  Conference  of  said 
Church,  May  20,  1853,  and  incor- 
porated in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  Sep- 
tember 23,  1854,  the  sum  of  -^ dol- 
lars; and  the  receipt  of  the  treasurer 
'of  the  society  shall  be  a  sufficient  dis- 


DISCIPLINE.  119 

charge  thereof  to    my  executors   and  * 
administrators. 


SECTION  XXXIV. 

RULES    AND     EEGULATIONS    OF    OUR 

PRINTING    ESTABLISHMENT,  IN 

DAYTON,  OHIO. 

Rule  1.  The  .;l»nve  establishment 
shall  be  called  "The  Printing  Estab- 
lishment of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ."  ^, 

Rule  2.  The  legislative  authority 
herein  granted  shall  be  vested  in  the 
General  Conference  of  said  Church, 
whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  elect  the 
necessary  officers  not  otherwise  pro- 
vided for,  and  make  or  amend  any 
rules  as  in  their  judgment  may  seem 
expedient. 

Rule  3.  The  proceeds  of  said  estab- 
lishment, over  and  above  contingent 
<expen'3es,  shall  be  applied  to  the  benefit 


120  UNITED    BRETHREN      ^ 

of  traveling  and  worn-out  preachers, 
and  their  widows  and  orphans;  this 
division  to  occur  equally  and  annually 
among  the  different  annual  confer- 
ences. 

Rule  4.  A  board  of  five  trustees, 
elected  by  the  General  Conference, 
shall  take  the  oversight  of  the  estab- 
lishment. 

Rule  5.  Should  a  vacancy  occur  in 
the  editorial  or  agency  department,  in 
such  case  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
trustees  to  employ  some  other  suitable 
person,  or  persons,  to  fill  said  vacancy 
until  the  sitting  of  the  next  General 
Conference. 

Rule  6.  In  case  a  vacancy  should 
occur  in  the  board  of  trustees,  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  trustees  to  fill  such 
vacancy  until  the  then  ensuing  Gen- 
eral Conference. 

Rule  7.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
trustees  to  make  settlement  with  the 


DISCirLINE.  121 

agent,  or  agents,  treasurer,  and  editors, 
eyery  six  months,  and  cause  the  agent, 
OT  agents,  to  make  and  publish  a  re- 
port annually,  through  the  columns 
of  the  Religious  Telescope  and  Joyful 
Messenger,  and  also  make  a  special  re- 
port, to  the  General  Conference. 

Rule  8..  The  editors  shall  strictly 
perform  all  the  duties  devolviug  upon 
them,  such  as  making  selections  and 
examining  manuscript  designed  for 
publication,  writing  editorial,  reading 
proof,  etjp. 

Rule  9.  The  trustees  shall  have  the 
general  oversight  of  the  editors  and 
agents,  and  see  that  they  do  their  4f|- 
ties;  and  if  they  do  not,  they  may 
Buspend  them  until  the  ensuing  General 
Conference,  which  will  give  final  de- 
cision. In  all  cases  the  officers  com- 
plained of  shall  be  furnished  with  a 
copy  of  tl>e  complaints  in  writing,  and 
shall    have    an    opportunity   of  being 


122  UNITED   BRETHREN 

heard  in  explanation  or  defense  before 
the  board. 

Rule  10.  The  trustees,  aj  book  com- 
mittee, are  authorized  to  exafliine, 
purchase,  and  publish  or  republish 
books,  pamphlets,  and  tracts. 

Rule  11.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
'Agents  to  take  charge  of  the  temporal 
coiicefhs  of  the  office ;  to  keep  all  th« 
books  pertaining  thereunto;  to  fur- 
nish, at  the  discretion  of  the  trustees, 
such  material  as  may  be  needed,  and 
to  act  as  the  general  book  agents, 
^der  the  direction  of  the  trustees. 

Rule  12.  The  trustees  shall  have 
tfte  privilege  of  making  any  by-laws 
'j#kich  may  seem  expedient  to  them, 
fdr  the  better  regulation  of  the  minor 
concerns  of  the  office,  provided  they  do 
not  violate  any  part  of  the  foregoing 
rules. 

Rule  13.  No  agent  or  ^itor  shall 
accept   any  office,  or   engage    in   any 


DISCIPLINE.  123 

business  which  will  interfere  with  th« 
duties  of  his  office. 


SECTION  XXXV. 
MARRIAGE  CEREMONY. 

ADDRESS. 

We  are  gathered  together  in  the 
sight  of  God,  and  in  the  presence  of 
these  witnesses,  to  join  together  N. 
and  M.  as  husband  and  wife.  If  any 
person  present  knows  any  just  cause 
or  impediment  why  these  persons 
should  not  be  joined  in  marriage,  let 
the  same  now  speak,  or  forever  after 
keep  silent. 

[If  no  impediment  be  alleged,  than 
shall  the  minister  say  unto  the  man  :j 

"N.,  wilt  thou  have  this  woman  to 
be  thy  wedded  wife,  to  live  together 
after  God's  ordinance?  Wilt  thou 
love,  honor,  and  comfort  her,  in  sick- 


124  UNITED   BRETHREN 

ness  and  in  health,  in  prosperity  j^nd 
adversity,  and  forsaking  all  others, 
keep  thee  only  unto  her  so  long  as  ye 
both  shall  live?  If  so,  then  answer, 
*Iwill."' 

[Then  shall  the  minister  say  to  the 
woman:] 

"  M.,  wilt  thou  have  this  man  to  be 
thy  wedded  husband,  to  live  together 
after  God's  ordinance?  Wilt  thou 
love,  honor,  and  obey  him,  in  sickness 
and  in  health,  in  prosperity  and  ad- 
versity, and  forsaking  all  others,  keep 
thee  only  unto  him  so  long  as  ye 
both  shall  live  ?  If  so,  then  answer, 
a  will.'" 

[Then  the  minister  shall  require 
them  to  join  their  right  hands,  and 
say :] 

"  Those  whom  God  hath  joined  to- 
gether, let  no  man  put  asunder. 

"  InasmucK  as  N.  and  M.  have  con- 
sented together  in  marriage,  and  havfc 


DISCIPLINE.  125 

witnessed  the  same  before  God  and 
these  witnesses,  I  pronounce  them 
husband  and  wife,  in  the  name  of  the 
Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the 
Holy  Ghost.     Amen." 

Ques.  Who  of  our  ministers  are  per- 
mitted to  solemnize  marriage  ? 

Ans.  All  ordained  ministers,  and 
also  those  that  have  obtained  license 
from  an  annual  conference,  where  th« 
law  of  the  state  makes  it  the  privilege 
of  every  regularly  licensed  minister  to 
solemnize  marriage  ;  but  none  are  per- 
mitted to  solemnize  marriage  with 
quarterly  conference  license. 


SECTION   XXXVI. 

BUKIAL  OF  THE  DEAD. 

After  the  coffin  is  lowered  into  the 
grave,  the  minister,  if  the  deceased  ia 
a  child  or  an  adult  Christian,  may  say : 


1^6  UNITED    BRETHREN 

"Man  that  is  born  of  woman  is  of 
few  days  and  full  of  trouble.  He 
oometh  forth  like  a  flower,  and  is  cut 
down  ;  he  fleeth  also  as  a  shado\i^,  and 
oontinueth  not." 

In  the  midst  of  life  we  are  in  death. 
Unto  whom  should  we  seek  for  succor 
but  unto  Thee,  0  Lord  !  who  for  our 
sins  art  justly  displeased?  Our  hope 
is  in  Thee  ;  for  Thou  hast  said :  *'  I 
am  the  resurrection  and  the  life  ;  he 
that  believeth  in  me,  though  he  were 
dead,  yet  shall  he  live ;  and  whoso- 
ever liveth  and  believeth  in  me  shall 
nevei*  die." 

Inasmuch  as  God,  in  his  providence, 
has  called  out  of  time  into  eternity  the 
ioul  of  our  (brother,  sister,  or  child), 
we  now  commit  his  (or  her)  body  to 
the  ground — earth  to  earth,  ashes  to 
ashes,  dust  to  dust — in  the  confident 
hope  that  Christ  will  raise  this  body 
in  the  great  day,  and  reunite  it  with 


DISCIPLINE.  127 

the   soul,  and   receive   it   to   himself. 
A.men. 


SECTION  XXXVII. 

COURSE   OF  READIi^G  AND  STUDY 

For  licentiate  preachers,  upon  which 
fliey  are  to  be  examined  by  the  annual 
conference  to  which  they  belong.  They 
shall  be  examined,  also,  each  year  of 
their  probation,  on  the  doctrine  and 
government  of  the  Church,  as  tatight 
in  our  book  of  Discipline.  It  is  pre- 
futned  that  a  fair  knowledge  of  the 
ordinary  branches  of  an  English  or 
German  education  has  been  acquired 
before  entering  upon  this  course.  If 
the  licentiate  does  not  possess  such 
knowledge,  he  shall  be  examined,  in 
each  year,  on  grammar  and  geog- 
raphy. 


128  UNITED    BRETHREN 

FIRST  YEAR — BIBLE  DOCTRINE. 

Human  Depravity  ;  The  Atonement; 
Redemption;  Repentance;  Justificatioa 
by  Faith;  Regeneration;  Adoption; 
Witness  of  the  Spirit;  Christian  Per- 
fection ;  Possibility  of  Final  Apostasy. 

Boohs  Required.  —  Bible;  Watson's 
Institutes,  or  Lee's  Theology  ;  Preach- 
er's Manual,  by  Sturtevant.  to  Lec- 
ture XVI ;  Porter's  Sacred  E-hetoric  ; 
Fletcher's  Appeal ;  History  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ ;  an  Es- 
flay  or  written  Sermon. 

Books  Recommended.  —  Bridge's 
Christian  Ministry;  Uphaiu's  Life  of 
Faith;  Philosophy  of  the  Plan  of 
Salvation  ;  Whateley's  Rhetorip. 

SECOND  YEAR — BIBLE  DOCTRINE. 

Existence  and  Attributes  of  God ; 
Trinity;  Divinity  and  Humanity  of 
Christ;  Personality  and  Deity  of  tKe 
HolyOhost;  Immortality  of  the  Soul; 


DISCIPLINE.  129 

Resurrection  of  the  Body;  Future 
General  Judgment;  Eternal  Rewards 
and  Punishments. 

Books  Required. — Bible  ;  Watson's 
Institutes,  or  Lee's  Theology,  con- 
tinued ;  Preacher's  Manual,  by  Sturte- 
vant,  from  Lecture  XYII  to  the  end ; 
Mosheim's  Church  History  to  the 
Reformation ;  Alexander's  Evidences 
of  Christianity;  Wayland's  Moral 
Science  ;  an  Essay  or  written  Sermon. 

Boohs  Recommended. — Upham's  In- 
terior Life ;  Neander's  Planting  and 
Training  of  the  Christian  Church, 
(Robinson's  translation) ;  Jahn's  Ar- 
chaeology ;  Haven's  Mental  Philos- 
ophy ;  Weber's  Universal  History. 

THIRD  YEAR — BIBLE  INSTITUTIONS. 

The  Christian  Sabbath ;  the  Lord's 
Supper;  Christian  Baptism. 

Boohs  Required. — Bible  ;  Mosheim's 
Ch^rx5h  History,  from  the  Reforma- 
9 


130  UNITED   BRETHREN 

tion  to  the  close ;  Coleman's  Greo- 
graphical  History  of  the  Bible ;  But- 
ler's Analogy ;  MeClelland's  Canon 
and  Interpretation  of  Scripture  ;  Ham- 
ilton's Logic ;  an  Essay  or  written 
Sermon. 

BooTci  Recommended. — Yinet's  Hom- 
iletics  ;  D'Aubigne's  History  of  the 
Reformation ;  Josephus'  Antiquities 
of  the  Jews ;  Hacket's  Illustrations 
of  Scripture ;  Upham's  Divine  Union. 

Any  licentiate  who  fails  to  read  the 
books  required,  and  to  submit  to  the 
examination,  shall,  at  the  close  of  the 
third  year  of  his  probation  at  farthest, 
be  erased  from  the  annual  conference 
record,  unless  a  reasonable  excuse  can 
be  given  for  such  failure. 

No  candidate  for  the  ministry  shall 
receive  ordination  until  he  has  com- 
pleted his  course  of  study,  except  in 
extraordinary  cases,  such  as  mission- 


DISCIPLINE.  131 

aries,  and  persons  who  have  otherwise 
received  a  fair  theological  training. 

GERMAN   COURSE   OF   REABINa. 

Pirst  Year.  —  Bible;  Discipline; 
Fletcher's  Appeal ;  Buechner's  Con- 
cordance; Nelson  on  InJBdelity  ;  Plain 
Thoughts  on  Secret  Societies  ;  Hare  on 
Justification ;  Heyse's  Grammar ;  a 
written  Essay. 

Second  Year. — Bible  Doctrine;  Dis- 
cipline continued ;  Buck's  Theological 
Dictionary ;  D'Aubigne  on  the  Ref- 
ormation ;  Zeller  on  the  Soul ;  Jose- 
phus ;  Philosophy  of  the  Plan  of  Sal- 
vation ;  written  Essay. 

Third  Year. — Bible  Doctrine ;  Dis- 
cipline and  Grammar  continued ;  Evi- 
dences of  Christianity ;  Kurtz's  Sacred 
History;  Lisco's  Apostolic  Creed; 
written  Essay. 

The  following  works  to  be  read : 
•^  Wurst's    Practical   Grammar;    Ar- 


132  UNITED    BRETIIREiN 

nold's  First  Love;  Bengel's  Gnomon; 

a  Commentary;    Calvert's   History  of 

the  Church  ;  Erdman's  First  Christian 

Church ;  Gossner   on   the  New  Testa- 
ment. 

SECTION   XXXVIII. 
CHAETERS. 

Whereas,  the  laws  of  certain  states 
require  churches  and  institutions  to 
be  incorporated,  in  order  to  be  recog- 
nized by  law : 

Therefore,  in  such  cases,  the  quar- 
terly conference  of  the  respective  cir- 
cuits, stations,  and  missions  shall  ap- 
point a  competent  committee,  consist- 
ing of  three,  who  shall  apply  to  the 
proper  source  for  an  act  of  incorpora- 
tion on  all  the  Church  property  within 
the  bounds  of  such  circuits,  stations, 
or  missions ;  and  at  the  last  quarterly 
conference  of  each  year,  the  presiding 


DISCIPLINE.  133 

elder  shall  examine  said  committee  in 
reference  to  the  above  subject. 

2.  When  legacies  are  bequeathed  to 
the  Church,  the  names  of  the  presiding 
bishops  should  be  inserted  in  the  will 
of  the  testator,  to  be  under  the  con- 
trol of  said  bishops  and  their  success- 
ors in  office,  to  be  appropriated  to  the 
purpose  specified  by  the  donors. 

SECTION  XXXIX. 

CERTIFICATES. 

When  members  of  our  society  move 
from  one  place  or  class  to  another, 
they  shall  obtain  a  certificate,  by  the 
vote  of  a  majority  of  the  class  to 
which  they  belong,  signed  by  a  preach- 
er, or  leader ;  except  where  they  are 
not  in  reach  of  a  class,  in  which  case 
any  of  our  preachers  may  give  a  cer- 
tificate to  such  persons,  if  they  are 
known  to  be  in  good  standing. 


134  UNITED    BRETHREN 

FORM    OF    CERTIFICATE. 

This  to  certify  that  A.  B.  is  a  mem- 
ber of  good  standing  in  the  Church 
of  the  United   Brethren  in  Christ,  at 

,  and  is  hereby  recommended  to 

the  confidence  and  fellowship  of  Chris- 
tians every-where. 

[Dates,  etc.] 

FORM    OF   TRANSFER. 

This   is   to   certify    that   is  a 

regular or in  the  Church 

of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  of 

Annual    Conference ;    and    is 

hereby  transferred  to  x^nnual 

Conference  of  said  Church. 


SECTION  XL. 

BOUNDARIES  OF  CONFERENCES. 

Virginia  Conference. — Beginning  at 
the  south-east  corner  of  the  state  of 


DISCIPLINE, 


:W 


Virginia ;  thence  along  the  western 
shore  of  the  Chesapeake  Bay  to  Balti- 
more;  thence  to  Westminster;  thence 
to  the  summit  of  the  South  Mountain, 
oai  the  ^tate  line  between  Maryland 
and  Pennsylvania ;  thence  west  on 
said  line  to  the  summit  of  the  Alle- 
ghany Mountain  ;  thence  south,  along 
the  summit  of  said  mountain,  to  the 
state  line  between  Virginia  and  North 
Carolina ;  thence  east  on  said  line  to 
the  place  of  beginning. 

East  Pennsylvania  Conference. — Be- 
ginning at  the  point  where  the  line 
between  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland 
(tosses  the  Susquehannah  river ;  thence 
to  the  south-east  corner  of  Snyder  coun- 
ty ;  thence  along  the  south  line  of  said 
CQunty  across  Shade  Mountain,  to  the 
BOuth-west  corner  of  Snyder  county; 
tlience  north-west  along  the  line  of 
Sjiyner  and  Mifflin  counties  to  the 
souih-east    corner   of  Center   county; 


136  UNITED   BRETHREN 

tLence  along  the  line  of  Center  and 
Union  counties  to  the  north-west  cor- 
ner of  Union  county;  thence  north- 
east, along  the  lines  of  Clinton  and 
Union  counties,  across  the  "West 
Branch ;  thence  along  the  West  Branch 
to  the  north-west  corner  of  Northum- 
berland county ;  thence  north-west  to 
the  south-west  corner  of  Bradford 
county ;  thence  due  north  to  the  New 
York  state  line,  embracing  all  that 
part  of  the  state  of  Pennsylvania  east 
of  the  above  line. 

Pennsylvania  Conference.  —  Begin- 
ning on  the  summit  of  the  South 
Mountain,  on  the  line  between  Mary- 
land and  Pennsylvania;  thence  to 
Westminster,  Maryland ;  thence  to 
Baltimore,  including  that  city  ;  thence 
along  the  Chesapeake  Bay  and  Sus- 
quehannah  river  to  the  Juniata  river ; 
thence  up  said  river  to  its  source ; 
thence  south,  so   as   not   to  interfere 


DISCIPLINE.  137 

with  any  territory  occupied  by  the 
Alleghany  Conference,  to  the  line  be- 
tween Maryland  and  Pennsylvania ; 
thence  east  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

Alleghany  Conference.  —  Beginning 
at  the  south-west  corner  of  Mercer 
county,  Penn. ;  thence  east  to  a  point 
due  south  of  the  south-east  corner  of 
Cattaraugus  county,  N.  Y. ;  thence 
north  to  the  line  between  Pennsylva- 
nia and  New  York ;  thence  east  to 
the  line  of  the  East  Pennsylvania 
Conference ;  thence  along  the  line  of 
said  conference  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Juniata  river;  thence  up  said  river 
to  its  source;  thence  along  the  line 
of  the  Pennsylvania  Conference  to  the 
Maryland  and  Pennsylvania  state  line, 
embracing  all  that  part  of  the  state  of 
Pennsylvania  south  and  west  of  the 
above^described  lines. 

Erie  Conference. — Beginning  on  the 
shoce  of  Lake  Erie,  on  the  west  side 


138  UNITED   BRETHREN 

i  •.  ■  • 

of  Erie  City ;  thence  along  the  old 
pike  to  Meadville ;  thenc6  down 
French  creek  to  the  Alleghany  river ; 
thence  down  said  river  to  the  line  of 
the  Alleghany  Conference ;  embracing 
all  that  part  of  Pennsylvania  east  of 
the  above  line,  (not  included  in  the 
Alleghany  Conference),  and  the  state 
of  New  York. 

Western  Reserve  Conference. — Be- 
ginning on  the  lake  shore  on  the 
west  side  of  Erie  City ;  thence  along 
the  west  line  of  the  Erie  Conference 
to  Lawrenceburg,  on  the  Alleghany 
river ;  thence  west  to  the  Ohio  state 
line  at  the  south-west  corner  of  Mercer 
county,  Penn. ;  thence  along  the  state 
line  south,  to  the  Pennsylvania  and 
Ohio  Railroad ;  thence  west,  embrac- 
ing Pleasant  Valley,  Paradise,  and 
Carr  appointments,  with  said  railroad, 
to  the  west  line  of  Ashland  county, 
Ohio ;  thence  north  to  the  mouth  of 


DISCIPLINE.  139 


o 


Vermilion    river ;    thence    east    alon 
the  shore  of  Lake   Erie  to  the  place 
of  beginning. 

Muskingum  Conference. — Beginning 
at  a  point  where  the  Pennsylvania 
and  Ohio  Railroad  crosses  the  line 
between  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio ; 
thence  west  on  the  line  of  said  rail- 
road to  the  west  line  of  Ashland 
county,  Ohio,  embracing  Warner's 
Chapel,  Benjamin  Warner's,  and  Low- 
er's appointments ;  thence  south  to  the 
north  line  of  Knox  county ;  thence 
west  to  the  north-west  corner  of  said 
county ;  thence  south  to  the  south- 
west corner  of  Knox  county  ;  thence 
east  along  the  lines  of  Knox  and  Co- 
shocton counties,  to  Dresden ;  thence 
down  the  Muskingum  river  to  its 
mouth ;  thence  up  the  Ohio  river  and 
Ohio  state  line  to  the  place  of  begin- 
ning. 

Scioto    Conference.  —  Beginning    at 


140  UNITED   BRETHREN 

Dresden,  on  the  Muskingum  river ; 
thence  west  on  the  south  lines  of  Co- 
shocton and  Knox  counties  to  the 
south-west  corner  of  Knox  county ; 
thence  to  the  north-west  corner  of 
Trenton  township,  Delaware  county ; 
thence  to  the  south-east  corner  of  Ge- 
noa township,  of  the  same  county ; 
thence  west  on  the  Delaware  county 
line  to  the  Whetstone  river ;  thence  to 
the  north-west  corner  of  Madison 
county  ;  thence  south,  embracing  Fay- 
ette, Highland,  and  a  part  of  Brown 
county,  to  Ripley,  on  the  Ohio  river ; 
thence  up  said  river  to  the  mouth  of 
Muskingum  river;  thence  up  said  river 
to  Dresden,  the  place  of  beginning. 

Sanduski/  Conference. — Beginning  at 
the  mouth  of  the  Vermilion  river,  on 
Lake  Erie  ;  thence  on  an  air-line  south, 
to  tho  south-west  corner  of  Ashland 
county ;  thence  with  the  north  and 
west    lines    of    Knox    county,   to   the 


DISCIPLINE.  141 

south-west  corner  of  said  county ; 
thence  to  the  north-west  corner  of 
Trenton  township,  Delaware  county ; 
thence  to  the  south-east  corner  of 
Genoa  township,  of  the  same  county; 
thence  west  on  the  Scioto  Conference 
line,  embracing  Pleasant  Valley,  in 
Madison  county ;  thence  along  the  east 
and  north  lines  of  Union  county,  to 
the  north-west  corner  of  said  county; 
thence  to  Kenton ;  thence  with  the 
Sandusky,  Dayton,  and  Cincinnati  Rail- 
road to  Forrest ;  thence  west  on  the 
Pittsburg  and  Ft.  Wayne  Railroad  to 
Johnstown  ;  thence  to  Cairo ;  thence 
to  Kalida ;  thence  to  Defiance  ;  thence 
down  the  Maumee  riv^r  and  the  south- 
ern shore  of  Lake  Erie  to  the  place 
of  beginning. 

Auglaize  Conference. — Beginning  on 
the  Ohio  and  Indiana  state  line,  at  a 
point  due  west  of  Greenville,  Ohio ; 
thence    north    to    the    Bellefontaine 


142  UNITED   BRETHREN 

Railroad ;  thence  with  said  road  to 
Winchester  ;  thence  on  a  straight  line 
to  the  south-east  corner  of  Hunting- 
ton county ;  thence  on  the  east  line 
of  said  county  north  to  Wabash  river ; 
thence  with  said  river  to  the  crossing 
of  the  Wabash  Valley  Railroad  ;  thence 
with  said  railroad  to  Defiance  ;  thence 
along  the  Sandusky  Conference  line  as 
described  above,  including  Johnstown, 
North  Washington,  and  Dunkirk,  to  a 
point  on  the  west  line  of  Madison 
county,  Ohio,  due  east  of  Urbana ; 
thence  to  Piqua,  including  that  city ; 
thence  to  Greenville ;  thence  to  the 
place  of  beginning. 

By  special  agreement,  the  Auglaize 
and  White  River  Conferences  will  oc- 
cupy the  preaching  places  previously 
occupied  by  them  on  either  side  of  the 
line,  but  shall  not  be  permitted  to 
take  up  any  new  appointments  not  in- 
cluded by  the  line. 


DISCIPLINE.  143 

Miami  Conference.  —  Beginning  at 
the  moTith  of  the  Great  Miami  river ; 
thence  north,  on  the  line  between  Ohio 
and  Indiana,  to  a  point  due  west  of 
Greenville,  Ohio  ;  thence  east  with  the 
Auglaize  Conference  line,  including 
Greenville  and  Urbana,  to  a  point  on 
the  Madison  county  line  due  east  of 
Urbana ;  thence  south  on  the  east 
lines  of  the  counties  of  Clark,  Green, 
Clinton,  and  a  part  of  Brown  county, 
to  Bipley ;  thence  down  the  Ohio  river 
to  the  place  of  beginning. 

Michigan  Conference. — Beginning  at 
the  mouth  of  the  Maumee  river ;  thence 
up  said  river  to  Ft.  Wayne ;  thence  on 
the  Ft.  Wayne  and  Chicago  Railroad 
to  Columbia,  Whitely  county;  thence 
due  north  to  the  line  of  Noble  county ; 
thence  east  to  the  south-east  corner 
oi  said  county ;  thence  north  on  the 
^st  line  of  Noble  and  Lagrange  coun- 
ties, to  the  Michigan  state  line ;  thence 


144  UNITED    BRETHREN 

west  on  said  line  to  White  Pigeon ; 
thence  in  a  north-westerly  direction  to 
Lake  Michigan  ;  thence  north  to  the 
intersection  of  the  base  line  with  said 
lake ;  thence  east  on  the  base  line  to 
Lake  St.  Clair;  thence  down  the  shore 
of  said  la  e,  the  Detroit  river,  and  the 
western  shoi  ?  of  Lake  Erie,  to  the 
place  of  beginning. 

North  Michigan.  Conference  em- 
braces all  that  part  of  the  state  of 
Michigan  lying  north  of  the  base  line. 

;S^^.  Joseph  Conference. — Beginning  at 
Peru,  Ind.,  on  the  Wabash  river; 
thence  up  said  river  to  Huntington ; 
thence  by  the  Auglaize  Conference  line 
to  Ft.  Wayne  ;  thence  by  the  Michigan 
Conference  line,  as  before  described,  to 
Lake  Michigan ;  thence  along  the  lake 
shore  to  the  line  of  Illinois  and  In- 
diana ;  thence  south  to  Beaver  Lake ; 
thence  to  the  mouth  of  Big  Monon 
Creek;    thence  down  the  Tippeoftnoe 


DISCIPLINE.       '  145 

river  to  the  Wabash,  to  Lafayette,  in- 
cluding Lafayette ;  thence  along  the 
Strawtown  road,  including  the  town  of. 
Jefferson,  to  the  Indianapolis  and  Peru 
Kailroad ;  thence  along  said  railroad 
to  the  place  of  beginning,  including 
all  the  towns  and  churches  north  of 
Kpkomo. 

White  River  Conference. — Beginning 
at  and  including  Indianapolis  and  sub- 
urbs ;  Ihence  up  White  river  to  the 
crossing  of  the  Indianapolis  and  Peru 
Railroad ;  thence  along  said  railroad 
to  the  Wabash  river ;  thence  up  said 
river  to  the  Wells  county  line ;  thence 
south  to  the  south-east  corner  of  Hun- 
tington county ;  thence  on  a  straight 
line  to  Winchester ;  thence  eastward 
along  the  railroad  to  the  Ohio  and 
Indiana  state  line ;  thence  south  along 
the  state  line  to  the  south-east  corner 
of  Franklin  county,  Ind. ;  thence  west- 
ward to  Greensburg;  thence  to  Co- 
10 


146  UNITED    BRETHREN 

lumbus ;  thence  to  Nashville;  thence 
west  to  White  river  ;  thence  up  the 
river  to  the  place  of  beginning.  Ko- 
komo,  and  all  the  towns  and  churches 
on  and  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Indian- 
apolis and  Peru  Railroad,  south,  are 
within  the  bounds  of  White  River  Con- 
ference. All  the  towns  and  churches 
north  of  Kokomo,  on  and  in  the  vicin- 
ity  of  said  railroad,  are  within  the 
bounds  of  the  St.  Joseph  Conference. 
Indiana  Conference. — Beginning  at 
the  south-east  corner  of  Franklin 
county,  Ind. ;  thence,  along  the  line  of 
the  White  River  Conference,  as  de- 
scribed*in  the  boundaries  of  that  con- 
ference, to  the  White  river  due  west 
of  Franklin,  Ind. ;  thence  down  said 
river,  and  the  Wabash,  to  the  Ohio 
river ;  thence  up  said  river  Jo  the 
mouth  of  the  Great  Miami  river ; 
thence  up  the  state  line  between  Ohio 
and  Indiana  to  the  place  of  beginning. 


DISCIPLINE.  M7 

Parhershurg  Conference. — Beginning 
on  the  summit  of  the  Alleghany  Mount- 
ain, at  the  line  between  Pennsylvania 
apd  Virginia  ;  thence  along  the  sum- 
mit of  said  mountain  south-west  to 
the  line  between  Virginia  and  North 
Carolina;  (hence  west  on  said  line  to 
the  southwest  corner  of  the  stat^  of 
Virginia;  tlience  with  the  Virginia 
and  Kentucky  line  norih  to  the  Ohio 
river;  thence  with  said  river  to  the 
Pennsylvania  state  line ;  thence  east 
on  said  line  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

Lower  Wabash  Conference. — Begin- 
ning at  Gosport,  on  White  river ; 
thence  wish  the  railroad  to  Green- 
castle  ;  thence  with  the  Indiaiiapolis 
and  Terro  Haute  Railroad  to  the  Wa- 
bash river;  thence  up  said  river  to 
the  mout)  of  Brulett's  Creek  ;  th'enoe 
up  said  creek  to  Cherry  Point ;  thence 
W,est  on,  the  , Air-Hue  Railroad  to  the 
Illinois    Conference    line ;    thence    to 


.'^48  UNITED   BRETHREN 

Shelby ville,  Illinois;  thence  down  the 
Okaw  river  to  Vandalia  ;  thence  south 
with  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  to 
its  junction  with  the  Ohio  and  Mis- 
sissippi Railroad;  thence  direct  to 
Carmi;  thence  down  the  Little  Wa- 
bash river  to  its  mouth ;  thence  up 
the  Wabash  and  White  rivers  to  the 
place  of  beginniji^g. 

Upper  Wabash  Conference. — Begin- 
ning at  Gosport,  on  White  river,  to 
the  crossing  of  the  Indianapolis  and 
Peru  Railroad ;  thence  on  the  Straw- 
town  road  to  Lafayette,  on  tht  Wabash 
river ;  thence  up  said  river  to  the 
mouth  of  Tippecanoe  river;  thence 
Tip  said  river  to  the  mouth  of  Big 
Monon  creek  ;  thence  in  a  north-west- 
ern direction  to  the  north  extremity 
of  Beaver  Lake;  thence  to  Kankakee 
City ;  thence  south  along  the  Chicago 
Branch  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad 
to  Urbana;  thence  south-west,  in  the 


\ 

DISGIPLINS.  149 

direction  of  Shelbyville,  to  the  crossing 
of  the  Air-line  Railroad;  thence  east 
on  said  road  to  Cherry  Point ;  thence 
along  the  line  of  the  Lower  Wabash 
Conference  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

Illinois  Conference. — Beginning  at 
the  junction  of  the  Mississippi  and 
Rock  rivers;  thence  up  the  latter 
stream  to  the  crossing  of  the  Rock 
Island  and  Peru  Railroad;  thence  east 
with  said  railroad  to  Peru;  thence 
down  the  Illinois  river  to  its  mouth ; 
thence  up  the  Mississippi  to  the  place 
q£  beginning.    * 

Central  Illinois  Conference. — Begin- 
ning at  Peru,  on  the  Illinois  river; 
thence  up  the  Illinois  river  to  the 
mouth  of  the  Kankakee  river ;  thence 
to  Kankakee  City;  thence  with  the 
Chicago  Branch  of  the  Illinois  Cen- 
tral Railroad  to  Urbana;  thence  di- 
rect to  Shelby ville;  thence  down  the 
Okaw  river   to  Vandalia;    thence   di- 


I 

**1I0  UNITED   BRETHREN 

rect  to  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois 
river;  thence  up  said  river  to  the 
place  of  beginning. 

Hoch  River  Conference. — Beginning 
at  the  junction  of  the  Mij<sissippi  and 
Rock  rivers;  thence  east  with  Illinois 
Conference  line,  embracing  in  its  bound- 
ary the  island  at  Camden,  as  above 
described,  to  Kankakf^  City,  111.; 
thence  io  the  state  itne  between  Illi- 
nois and  Indiana  ;  thence  north  on  said 
line  to  Lake  Michi<:an;  tlience  along 
the  shore  of  said  lake,  north,  to  the 
line  between  Illinois'  and  Wisconsin; 
thence  west  with  said  line  to  the  Mis- 
sissippi river;  thence  down  said  river 
to  the  place  of  beginninu'. 

Wisconsin  Conference.  —  Beginning 
at  3Iilwaukie,  Wis. ;  thence  south  to 
the  Illinois  state  line;  thence  west  on 
the  line  between  Illinois  and  Wiscon- 
sin to  the  Mississippi  river ;  thence 
up  said  river  and  the  Wisconsia  state 


DISCIPLINE.  151 

line  to  Lake  Superior ;  thence  with 
the  shore  of  said  lake  and  the  Michi- 
gan and  Wisconsin  state  line  to  the 
Wisconsin  river ;  thence  down  said 
river  to  Portage  City;  thence  along 
the  Watertown  and  Portage  City  Rail- 
road to  Watertown  ;  theqce  along  the 
Milwaukie  and  Watertown  Railroad  to 
the  place  of  beginning:. 

Fox  River  Conjeieine.  —  Beginning.-, 
at  Milwaukie;  Wis.;  thence  by  the 
railroad  lines  to  Watertown  and  Port- 
age City ;  thence  up  the  Wisconsin 
River  to  the  Michigan  state  line  j 
thence  with  the  state  lines  south-east^ 
and  the  western  shore  of  Lake  Mich- 
igan, to  the  place  of  beginning. 

Minnesota  Conference. — Bounded ■  'by 
the  state  lines. 

Iowa  Conference. — Beginning  afc  the 
junction  of  the  Mississippi  and  Iowa 
rivers ;  thence  up  said  river  to  the 
southern  boundary  line  of  North- Iowa 


152  UNITED    BRETHREN 

Conference ;  thence  east  and  south 
with  said  line  to  the  Mississippi  river  ; 
thence  with  said  river  to  the  place  of 
beginning. 

North  Iowa  Conference. — Beginning 
on  the  Mississippi  river  with  the  north 
line  of  the  state  of  Iowa ;  thence  due 
west  on  said  line  to  the  west  line  of  Win- 
nebago county  ;  thence  due  south  to  the 
Dubuque  and  Sioux  City  Railroad  line  ; 
thence  east  to  the  west  line  of  Dela- 
ware county  ;  thence  due  south  to  the 
south  line  of  tuwnship  numbered  86 ; 
thence  due  east  along  said  township  line 
to  the  Mississippi  river ;  thence  along 
said  river  to  tlie  place  of  beginning. 

East  Des  Moines  Conference. — Begin- 
ning at  the  mouth  of  the  Iowa  river ; 
thence  itip  sjiid  river  to  the  east  line 
of  Marshall  county,  Iowa ;  thence 
south  to  the  Mahaska  county  line ; 
thence  west  to  the  corner  of  said 
county ;  thence  south  to  the  Des  Moines 


DISCIPLINE.  153 

river ;  thence  up  said  river  to  White 
Breast  creek;  thence  up  said  creek  to 
the  west  line  of  Marion  county  ;  thence 
south  to  the  corner  of  said  county ; 
thence  south-west  to  the  Wayne  county 
line,  six  miles  east  of  the  north-west 
corner  of  said  county ;  thence  south 
twelve  miles;  thence  west  six  milesj 
thence  south  to  the  Missouri  state 
line ;  thence  east  on  the  liae  between 
Iowa  and  Missouri  to  the  ])Iississij:jpi 
river ;  thence  up  said  river  to  the 
place  of  beginning. 

West  Des  Moines  Conference. — -Be- 
ginning on  the  north  line  of  the  state, 
ai  the  north-east  corner  of  Kossuth 
Qounty  ;  thence  west  to  the  north- 
west comer  of  the  state ;  thence  down 
Big  Sioux  river  to  its  mouth  ;  thence 
west  to  the  north-west  corner,  of 
Blackl^ird  county,  Nebraska ;  thence 
south  to  the  south  line  of  Nebrask?i; 
thence   east  to  Missouri  river,  and  up 


154   UNITED  BRETHREN  DISCIPLINE. 

said  river  to  the  south-west  corner  of 
the  state  of  Iowa ;  thence  east  on 
the  state  line  to  the  south-east  corner 
of  Decatur  county ;  thence  along  the 
boundary  lines  of  East  Des  Moines, 
Iowa,  and  North  Iowa  Conferences,  to 
the  place  of  beginning. 

Missouri  Conference. — Bounded  by 
the  state  lines. 

Kansas  Conference.  —  Bounded  by 
the  state  lines. 

Canada  Conference  embraces  the 
whole  of  Upper  Canada. 

Oregon  Conference  includes  the  state 
of  Oregon  and  Washington  Territory. 

California  Conference. — Includes  the 
state  of  California. 

Ohio  German  Conference. — Bounded 
by  the  state  lines  of  Ohio,  including 
Covington  and  Newport,  Ky.,  and  the 
German  works  in  the  state  of  Indiana 
and  south-eastern  Illinois. 


^g 


n 


'UO 


4      1    1012  00045  5990 


